A New Dawn

The year is coming to an end. Today's the last day of the year. How quickly time flies. I especially feel that this year. I haven't been updating this blog for a few months already (Many excuses and also some valid reasons. Am writing this in Wini's dad's study, using Wini's Internet connection... @.@ Thanks Wini...)

I had wanted to mark this date for remembrance :)

Some questions and musings for myself...

What have I done?
Have I learned anything?
Am I a better and wiser person with all the events and things that have taken place this year? Have I counted my blessings?
What's in store for next year?

Hmmm, am being very melancholic today... now...

But, I am very contented at this moment... very. At peace with myself and God ^_^


MasihSiokLagi ^.^

this is me - istj

ISTJ
The Duty Fulfiller
Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging


 
Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible, and dependable. Well-developed powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it.

As an ISTJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things rationally and logically.

ISTJs are quiet and reserved individuals who are interested in security and peaceful living. They have a strongly-felt internal sense of duty, which lends them a serious air and the motivation to follow through on tasks. Organized and methodical in their approach, they can generally succeed at any task which they undertake.

ISTJs are very loyal, faithful, and dependable. They place great importance on honesty and integrity. They are "good citizens" who can be depended on to do the right thing for their families and communities. While they generally take things very seriously, they also usually have an offbeat sense of humor and can be a lot of fun - especially at family or work-related gatherings.

ISTJs tend to believe in laws and traditions, and expect the same from others. They're not comfortable with breaking laws or going against the rules. If they are able to see a good reason for stepping outside of the established mode of doing things, the ISTJ will support that effort. However, ISTJs more often tend to believe that things should be done according to procedures and plans. If an ISTJ has not developed their Intuitive side sufficiently, they may become overly obsessed with structure, and insist on doing everything "by the book".

The ISTJ is extremely dependable on following through with things which he or she has promised. For this reason, they sometimes get more and more work piled on them. Because the ISTJ has such a strong sense of duty, they may have a difficult time saying "no" when they are given more work than they can reasonably handle. For this reason, the ISTJ often works long hours, and may be unwittingly taken advantage of.

The ISTJ will work for long periods of time and put tremendous amounts of energy into doing any task which they see as important to fulfilling a goal. However, they will resist putting energy into things which don't make sense to them, or for which they can't see a practical application. They prefer to work alone, but work well in teams when the situation demands it. They like to be accountable for their actions, and enjoy being in positions of authority. The ISTJ has little use for theory or abstract thinking, unless the practical application is clear.

ISTJs have tremendous respect for facts. They hold a tremendous store of facts within themselves, which they have gathered through their Sensing preference. They may have difficulty understanding a theory or idea which is different from their own perspective. However, if they are shown the importance or relevance of the idea to someone who they respect or care about, the idea becomes a fact, which the ISTJ will internalize and support. Once the ISTJ supports a cause or idea, he or she will stop at no lengths to ensure that they are doing their duty of giving support where support is needed.

The ISTJ is not naturally in tune with their own feelings and the feelings of others. They may have difficulty picking up on emotional needs immediately, as they are presented. Being perfectionists themselves, they have a tendency to take other people's efforts for granted, like they take their own efforts for granted. They need to remember to pat people on the back once in a while.

ISTJs are likely to be uncomfortable expressing affection and emotion to others. However, their strong sense of duty and the ability to see what needs to be done in any situation usually allows them to overcome their natural reservations, and they are usually quite supporting and caring individuals with the people that they love. Once the ISTJ realizes the emotional needs of those who are close to them, they put forth effort to meet those needs.

The ISTJ is extremely faithful and loyal. Traditional and family-minded, they will put forth great amounts of effort at making their homes and families running smoothly. They are responsible parents, taking their parenting roles seriously. They are usually good and generous providers to their families. They care deeply about those close to them, although they usually are not comfortable with expressing their love. The ISTJ is likely to express their affection through actions, rather than through words.

ISTJs have an excellent ability to take any task and define it, organize it, plan it, and implement it through to completion. They are very hard workers, who do not allow obstacles to get in the way of performing their duties. They do not usually give themselves enough credit for their achievements, seeing their accomplishments simply as the natural fulfillment of their obligations.

ISTJs usually have a great sense of space and function, and artistic appreciation. Their homes are likely to be tastefully furnished and immaculately maintained. They are acutely aware of their senses, and want to be in surroundings which fit their need for structure, order, and beauty.

Under stress, ISTJs may fall into "catastrophe mode", where they see nothing but all of the possibilities of what could go wrong. They will berate themselves for things which they should have done differently, or duties which they failed to perform. They will lose their ability to see things calmly and reasonably, and will depress themselves with their visions of doom.

In general, the ISTJ has a tremendous amount of potential. Capable, logical, reasonable, and effective individuals with a deeply driven desire to promote security and peaceful living, the ISTJ has what it takes to be highly effective at achieving their chosen goals - whatever they may be.


Content above copyright of BSM Consulting, www.personalitypage.com

Love Song

Here's a catchy number from Sara Bareilles. i love this! It's been around for one year but i've only heard this two days ago... T_T (i don't know where i've been.)

Apparently, this song is not meant for the man in her life. She was signed on with a record label and they had wanted a better song (a love song) to make the album before they would release it. So she wrote this 'love song'. Her lyrics says it all.





Verse 1:
Head under water
And they tell me to breathe easy for a while
The breathing gets harder, even I know that
You made room for me but it's too soon to see
If I'm happy in your hands
I'm unusually hard to hold on to

Pre-Chorus:
Blank stares at blank pages
No easy way to say this
You mean well, but you make this hard on me

Chorus:
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one, you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's
Make or breaking this
If you're on your way
I'm not gonna write you to stay
If all you have is leaving
I'm gonna need a better reason to write you a love song today
Today

Verse 2:
I learned the hard way
That they all say things you want to hear
My heavy heart sinks deep down under you
And your twisted words, your help just hurts
You are not what I thought you were
Hello to high and dry

Pre-Chorus 2:
Convinced me to please you
Made me think that I need this too
I'm trying to let you hear me as I am

Bridge:
Promise me you'll leave the light on
To help me see with daylight, my guide, gone
'Cause I believe there's a way you can love me because I say

Chorus:
I won't write you a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this
Is that why you wanted a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this
If you're on your way
I'm not gonna write you to stay
If your heart is nowhere in it
I don't want it for a minute
Babe, I'll walk the seven seas when I believe that there's a reason to
Write you a love song today
Today

Gravity

This song by singer-songwriter, Sara Bareilles, is beautiful!





Something always brings me back to you
It never takes too long
No matter what I say or do
I'll still feel you here 'til the moment I'm gone

You hold me without touch
You keep me without chains
I never wanted anything so much
Than to drown in your love and not feel your rain

CHORUS:
Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile
When I thought that I was strong
But you touch me for a little while
And all my fragile strength is gone

CHORUS:
Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me

I live here on my knees as I try to make you see that you're
Everything I think I need here on the ground
But you're neither friend nor foe though I can't seem to let you go
The one thing that I still know is that you're keeping me down
You're keeping me down
You’re on to me, you’re on to me and all over

Something always brings me back to you
It never takes too long

08.08.08

I find 08.08.08 amusing; just like how I find 07.07.07 of last year special.

It's the number - just because they are the same. They somehow look nice... triple 08.

To many, today is an auspicious day to get married. Just read the wedding announcements in the newspaper, especially the Chinese dailies.

To some, its a good number for lottery.

To me, its a Friday, marking the end of the working week for me.

The day before the weekend.

The day to watch the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. ^_^

The day to just siok a bit and post an entry on nothing in particular, just so 08.08.08 is marked here. 8)

Siok08.08.08

Blow them up!

Listen to this hilarious prank call by an 8-year-old Irish girl who called up a demolition company to blow up her school.

She also specifically told them to make sure that all her teachers are inside when they blow up it up! O_o

The reason?

They gave her too much homework on a Friday... -_-






i'll make sure not to give my 'kids' too much homework from now on... less marking for me and won't get blown up too...


LagiSiok =D

Anakku

i first met her waaaaaayyyyyyyy back in 1996.

i went to Camp Cameron (Camp Cam) during my first year uni break. It was a three-week long camp held at a cluster of chalets located very near a lake just after Ringlet, Cameron Highland.

It was a very special camp where the participants were required to stay in chalets as a 'family'. All of us were a bunch of young, clueless (i think that's me), idealistic uni students then. Each chalet had a set of 'grandpa' and 'grandma' (the FES staff), a 'papa' and a 'mama' (the participants) and the 'children' (the participants).

i was very 'honoured' to be selected as a 'mama' of Chalet 8 (actually, 'mamas' had to bear more responsibilities). So, together with my new-found 'husband', Larry, whom i didn't love, we found ourselves the 'parents' of 3 sons (Victor, James & David) and 6 daugthers (Yoke Meng, Mei Chyi, Julie, Evonne, Corrine & Ai Sing)... hope i didn't miss out anyone. i was very 'fertile' then.

My 'husband' and i had to run the household, delegating household chores, collecting money from the 'children' for special treats once in awhile, making sure light's off at 11 pm, etc... under the supervision of 'grandpa' Christopher and 'grandma' Evelyn and not forgetting 'aunt' Mary.

For three weeks we were 'stuck' together. We listened to talks after talks, studied the Word together (with members of other chalets and in our own smaller group), shared, talked, laughed together, cried together (some sessions were emotionally draining), ate together, participated in rehearsed drama and inpromptu sketch, played Captain ball every evening at the field across the winding road (we were the champion! Yes!), challenged other chalets in sports and board games, visited other chalets (showing 'neighbourliness'), had the Wednesday outings to Brinchang (our 'prison breaks'), got to know each other, got on each other's nerve, learned to settle disputes and issues, etc...

We enjoyed ourselves. At least i did!

Of all the members in my chalet, i got to know one of my 'daughters' better. We just clicked. i don't know when it started but we just kinda got along pretty well.

One day, she invited me to the playground opposite the chalets. It was an appointment. She said she had something to tell me (if i remember correctly). i thought we had issues and she needed to trash it out. But, i forgot and slept the afternoon away.

When i remembered and asked her later, she said it was nothing. Ooops, i'd stepped on her tail, i thought to myself.

But one night, a few days later, she came to me and asked...

"Can I be your friend?"

Huh???

"i thought we are already friends!" i said, flabbergasted.

She then proceeded to tell me that that was how she made friends. She was serious about friendships. She was intense. We chatted late into the night. i couldn't remember the rest of the conversation. My memory has failed me. But, yeah, we became friends... officially... O_o

She has her quaint ways and all. We kept in touch after the camp; writing snail mails, sending cards (i will never forget her self-designed birthday card for my 21st birthday! It was awesome!), calling each other...

But distance kind of cooled down our friendship. i was in KL and she was up north. Later, i did visit her hometown twice and met up, pigged myself, talked about old times and updated each other.

Over the years, there is one thing, however, that she has continued doing; calling me up on my birthdays to wish me. i would love to say that i have been diligently doing the same but alas, i haven't. i forgot to call her on her birthday in 2003 (Why 2003? Now that's another post.) and on another year, i called her but couldn't get her because she was in Langkawi with a group of friends and she had left her handphone in another room (Hah! i remember this detail).

A few months ago, after discovering FB, i 'found' her and is now more updated with her news and all. i 'see' my 'daughter' more frequently now on FB and chats.

So, now that i am more Internet-savvy and could afford to siok a bit...

Happy birthday, anakku! Thanks for your friendship. i cherish you lots!

(How much? i have dedicated this whole blog entry for you! So don't expect a call from me lah!)

Okaylah, will call you later tonight... have to keep the tradition going...

Love always,

Mama

speechless, still am

i am finding it increasingly difficult to handle teens nowadays. Maybe it's the generation gap or i really suck at teaching them.

i do feel like a Pentium 1 processor and they, the Intel CoreDuo. Their minds are so quick and they are getting so smart as the years go by. Or am i losing it?

At the same time, their attitudes are not that admirable. In the short or long 8 years that i have been teaching, i've seen many come and go. The children are definitely getting smarter but their attitude suck big time. Yes, teens, they maybe but they can be really manipulative and twist things around their fingers. And the most astonishing thing is that their parents totally support their unbecoming behaviours.

And the worst of the lot happens to be church-goers or those who claim to love the Father, JC, and the HS. Children of pastors, church elders, leaders, so on and so forth. In fact, the most difficult parents could be them too. It's sad, but true.

Some say that it's the work of Mr S. A. Tan, attacking the leadership and weakening families of God. To a certain extent, it may be true but i beg to differ. We are giving way too much credit to ourselves by always blaming him. Choosing to blame him seems to be the easier option rather than to face up to the reality that we have the right to choose and do what is right, that God's power is greater than that of the world. By giving the excuse that we are sinners, and yes, indeed we are redeemed sinners, and thus imperfect and prone to trespasses, belittles the power of resurrection. JC would have died in vain.

When i was just a green horn, i've the privilege of working with many students in the few portfolios that i was handling. i've guided a few top students, some awesome and charismatic student-leaders and many other students from different levels of academic achievements, backgrounds, race and beliefs. The majority were a joy for me to teach, educate, lead, coach, mentor and help. i love their eagerness, their genuine passion, their teachability, their commitment, their dedication...

Of course, there were a few difficult ones but not that i could not handle or deal with. When my students go out of line, i'd most definitely not mince my thoughts and i'd definitely give them a piece of my mind. i'm not one of those timid or inexperienced teachers who could be bullied or threatened into submission by my students. When these students work together with me, they already know the person i am. i am straightforward and sets the boundary clearly right from the very beginning.

However, the worst experiences i had was last year. From one case to another, they involved Christian students. i have yet to figure out why but all the painful lessons that i have learned in that one whole year were from them.

The most selfish were them, the most double-faced were them, the most ungrateful were them, the most apathetic were them, the ones with the most excuses were them, the ones who claimed ignorance were them, the ones who chickened out were them, the most ambitious and want-it-all and yet calculative of the cost they had to pay to achieve the glories were them.

And the list went on and on...

And no, i am not talking about just only a specific group of students, but students from different levels and from different portfolios.

And it just completely drained me, totally. i was floored. It rendered me speechless. It was incredulous! My heart sank rock bottom, the joy of teaching and educating was wiped out from my soul, the passion for what i do was dampened, many tears were shed, many sleepless nights were endured...

i was in despair, confusion; hurt, depressed...

Upon reflection, i felt that way because:

i teach with all my heart

i give my all

i try my best

i sacrifice the time, energy and finance

i go the extra mile

i desire to be different

i want to make a difference

i was hurt because i cared too much.

i am still recovering, my soul is still healing... but i am not the same anymore. There is hesitation, there is trepidation, reservation, which i used not to have...

And now it seems like history is repeating itself. From a distance, i am seeing a repeat of last year. New sets of churchy students and parents are getting the upper hand using underhanded methods, manipulating... (NOT to be confused with the favour of God).

i am not directly involved because they are under other teachers in different projects and competitions. And some of my colleagues had a hard time. i am just looking on from a distance... amazed.

This year i find that i am still speechless...

Speechless because we are called to be different. We are meant to be different.

Are we not?

Another Year

i'm thankful for:

The chance to care for dad

The chance to love him more

The conflicts to try and understand mom better

Though most of the time we don't see eye to eye

D's maturity and desire to better plan for his future

And his love for God

B's promotion

And his success work-wise

A roof over my head

And a simple bed to sleep on

The ability to earn a decent living

And not be in debt

The close friends that i have

And the bond that we share

The ability to appreciate music

And the skill to play an instrument

The ability to serve

And use the talent given me

The general good health

Though not the ideal weight

The love for food

And to enjoy them

The 'children' in my care

And the patience, or the lack of it, to teach them

The ability to see my surroundings

Aided by my thick glasses

The chance to love others

Because He first chose me

^.^

Improve Your Health

This makes me smile after a long, busy day at work. Thanks, Lily, for the mail... =D

25 ways to improve your health

1. Brush twice a day.



2. Dress right for the weather.







3. Visit the dentist regularly.



4. Get plenty of rest.








5. Make sure your hair is dry before going outside.



6. Eat right.



7. Get outside in the sun every once in a while.








8. Always wear a seatbelt.








9. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages.








10. Smile! It will make you feel better.








11. Don't over indulge yourself.



12. Bathe regularly.







13. Read to exercise the brain.







14. Surround yourself with friends.







15. Stay away from too much caffeine.










16. Use the bathroom regularly.







17. Get plenty of exercise.



18. Have your eyes checked regularly.







19. Eat plenty of vegetables.







20. Believe that people will like you for who you are.








21. Forgive and forget.



22. Take plenty of vacations.








23. Celebrate all special occasions.



24. Pick up a hobby.










25. Love your neighbour as yourself.








Do all these things and you will be a happier, healthier person!

^.^

my dad

Today is Father's Day. Unlike previous years, my family did not go out for dinner to celebrate the special day because dad is bedridden. So, it is just like any other days, with dad lying on his bed and the rest of us had dinner.

Happy Father's Day

sometimes i wish things could be different
that you had not fallen ill
that you had not forgotten us
that you could still remember
how your life was like once

that you could sit up and not fall
that your left hand would not be painful
that you could hold your cup without spilling
that you could be up and about
doing the things that you love most

that eating could be easier
and drinking not a chore
that the daily routines we take for granted
would be a breeze for you
and not a burden to you

that you could realise you're already home
and not keep asking to go home
that you'd want to be out in the living room
and not hide in that corner of yours
feeling sad and lonely

i wish i could read your mind
i wish i could ease the pain
i wish you could let me know
and not keep me guessing
what you are thinking most of the time

i wish that you would know
in your own little world
when sometimes your eyes would glow
moments as precious as gold
that you would sense and know

how much we love you
how much i love you
happy father's day, dad
we love you so much
i love you, too

Back to School

The school break has come to an end and am back to work again... :(

Why do good things have to end so quickly?

(Yes, teachers DO dread going back to school... or is it only me?)

Truth be told... i am already looking forward to the next break...

If I Ain't Got You

This is another of my favourite songs. It is sung by Alicia Keys. She is a really talented singer and musician. She has such a powerful voice. i really like her playing the piano and singing at the same. i am tryng to listen closely to her piano playing and get the rhythmn and chords; am halfway there. Here's her song (uploaded by andersonpilet).





Mmmmmmm, mmmmmm

Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things define what's within
And I been there before but that life's a bore, so full of the superficial

Chorus:
Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing, if I ain't got you, yeah

Some people search for a fountain
The promise is forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be

No one to share with, no one who truly cares for me

Chorus:
Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing, if I ain't got you, you, you

Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing, if I ain't got you, yeah

If I ain't got you with me baby, ohh, ooo
Say nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby

Forgetable

i've just watched Indiana Jones and seriously, it was just a so-so movie.

The ending is just like so many of those other movies that ended up having alien entities that were trapped in some tombs or something and were finally set free and and fly off into the sky in some spaceships or something.

It all seems too familiar, just like an episode of the X-Files (or was it the movie?) where Mulder (or was it Scully?) went looking for Scully (or was it Mulder) in the Artic and finally they miraculously escaped from an alien-breeding facility deep in the ice, just before (Yeah, you've guessed it) the earth shook and the whole thing took off into the sky as a gigantic spaceship and left a gigantic gap in the ice! Gee, how original!!!

However, in this Indy movie, the Maya temple crumbled to the ground and the whole place was eventually flooded by the water from the river. (Yeah, AFTER the spaceship had taken off)

And the cheesiest part at the end is when Indy married his love whom he ditched one week before the wedding day many years ago.

Yaaaawwnnn...

Oh well, it's just another forgetable movie.

TakSioklah :(

Inspiring

Yes! i'm having a break now which i've been looking forward to.

(All right, don't be envious of me, dear non-teachers. This is a working holiday for many of us.)

i'll still have to grade papers despite marking furiously before the break, in order to have a freer break. i've finished marking 167 sets of multiple choice questions, 948 sets of structured questions, 117 sets of comprehension questions, 78 literature essays and 78 essays. And i'm only left with 150 essays to go. So, i'm not that stressed up now.

i went back to school to clear some work yesterday and will clear some tonight before i go back again tomorrow to finish them all. Yes! And off i'll go to do some piano-coaching with Terence.

Then, i'm looking forward to a good lunch and Indiana Jones with a couple of friends. It's been more than 2 months since i've last watched a movie... couldn't recall my last movie :( Yeah... something forgetable.

Thursday is reserved for running errands, paying bills, etc...

Something that i'm most looking forward to is the Inspiring Worship seminars, concert and also workshops from 30th May to 3rd June. i want to be INSPIRED!!! And i'm going with a very expectant heart... and i will receive! Yes!

And next week, between invigilating some exams, i'll try to finish grading the rest of the 150 essay scripts.

There goes my break.

Meanwhile... happy holiday to me...

SiokJuga ^_^

Pig... ^@^

i was trying to guide or 'force' my weakest class to memorize short literature essays. This class is the weakest of the lot and i have three boys who could barely read. Yes, read. And nope, many of them can't converse in English.

So, to ask them to write a paragraph that makes sense requires Herculian effort, what more to write an essay.

Since mid-year exam is just around the corner, i whipped up my last 'rescue' plan - instruct them to memorize simple, prepared, really short literature essays and hope that, if they are lucky enough, one of the essay questions would pop up during exam. All they need to do is just regurgitate the three short paragraphs.

i tested them today.

Original phrase: "...Kino could not let go of the big pearl..."

Student's memory bank: "...Kino could not let go of the pig pearl..."

+_O

i think i will be getting gibberish... or blank papers from this class.

Happy marking... to me.

ManaSiok :(

Blur

Today SS went to The Hut to have lunch, alone. Yup, got a craving and drove there. It took me ages to find a legal parking lot but alas i couldn't find one after turning many rounds and waited. So parked at my usual illegal parking spot... er, so far, so safe :)

Went in The Hut and ordered my grilled lamb chop and a chocolate milkshake... :) Yes, i know. It's a fattening combination... :) But nothing can stop SS from her cravings... that is until i realized i had better check my wallet. It's the beginning of the month and i haven't gone to 'reload' my wallet yet... and i found out that i had only...

RM21.00!!! -__-

So off i dashed out of the restaurant to withdraw some cash from the ATM at the Alliance Bank which is just a few steps away and...

The ATM machine with MEPS is NOT functioning!!! -__- Gaaahhhh

And i was cursing myself for being so idiotic as to not having enough money for lunch, and that was AFTER i had ordered it... -__-

But nothing can stop SS from her food and she popped into her car and drove a few blocks away to AmBank's ATM, all the while hoping that the ATM would be able to dispense some cash. And she parked illegally right in front of bank and dashed in.

Crossing my fingers, i pressed the buttons and...

YES, money came out... XD

(Hah, you thought that i'd be so unlucky that this ATM is not functioning too, right? Wrong!)

Relieved, i dashed into my car and drove back and parked illegally, again...

Well, the food couldn't wait, could it? =D

When i got back into The Hut, the chocolate milk was already waiting for me :)... but it was too diluted :(

(Sigh, SS and her diluted drinks.)

Anyway, the food was good...

Ah, so satisfying... n_n

And full... *burp*

It's time for a little nap...

So in Love! ^^

*Sigh*

The Japanese craze has taken over SS... in the form of Ken Hirai \^_^/

so handsome... ^_^//

what a hunk... *drooling*

hot and sexy... *swooning*

beautiful voice... *heart melts*

can sing falsetto... *goosebumps*

and he sings R&B, slow pop rock... ^_^

*Sigh*... *Heart flutters*

To all my oestrogenic friends, you MUST take a listen to his songs! Especially if you are a sucker for romantic love ballads a.k.a. sappy songs. If you are of the testosteronic species, take a listen too.

Nope, i don't understand a single word (Zen, zen, wakarimasen) that he's singing save for a sprinkling of English words here and there. But that is not important at all... it's all about the melody and his voice!! *Sighs* ^_^// Really, his good looks just complete the whole package.

Close Eyes (Hitomi wo Tojite) (uploaded by Inanybar2007)

Cry & Smile (uploaded by azhaffchan)

Canvas (uploaded by rosmerycordero)

Even If (uploaded by azzhaffchan)




Omoiga Kasanaru Sonomaeni (uploaded by harvinsky)




Lovingly yours,
TerlaluSiokSendiri ^_^//

Perfume

The Japanese are known globally for their super cute cartoons, mangas and animes. i remember when i was a kid and later a tween, i used to look forward to Saturday mornings for a dose or two of Japanese cartoons. Those were the days when Astro and the Internet were non-existent. There were only RTM1 and RTM2!! Yikes!!! O.@

i remember loving the cartoons' theme songs. Even as a child, i found the tunes catchy although i had no idea what they were about. And the cartoons would end with another different song, usually a slower tempo song. And i'd always sit through the songs!

Something that never failed to amuse me then was the singer's voice. i think the theme songs are sung only by females (Correct me if i'm wrong). The singers would sing in a childlike, high-pitched voice. Really, i couldn't differentiate the voice quality from one singer to another. They all sounded the same to me. i loved ^-^ and hated \_/ those voices. Well, in spite of that, i still loved the tunes.

i was bumbling around Youtube and clicked on a video that was being watched. And guess what? It linked to a trio of Japanese girls, Perfume, who are famous for techno pop music. Yup, they sounded almost like each other and the digital distortion of their voices only made them sound more alike.

Anyway... again i'm 'caught' by the catchy tunes. Errmmm... i can't really find much meanings to their songs despite the English sub-titles. Maybe the songs would make more sense if i know Japanese. Or maybe the lyrics do not really matter if you are dancing away.

So, here's three of their songs. Tap along...

PolyRhythm

Baby Cruising Love

Macaroni

So, what do you think?

Thinker

Your Thinking is Abstract and Random

You are flexible, adaptable, and creative. There's many ways that you can learn - and you're up for any of them. You relate well to other people, and you do well working in groups. You can help people communicate together and work with each other's strengths. You don't work well with people who are competitive or adversarial. You prefer to work toward a common goal... not toward conflicting goals.

What Kind of Thinker Are You?

Over & Done With

Woohoo! And the bunch of singers did not suck!!! Yay!

A huge burden is lifted off my shoulders today. The 55 kids trained, rehearsed, rehearsed, trained, practised, bought all the correct attires, came early this morning, put on make-up and accesories, warmed-up their voices, walked up the stage, waited for the curtain to open, smiled, sang the first song, sang the second song, bowed, the curtain closed... and it was all over.

After two weeks of training and coaching, it was all over in less than ten minutes.

Yeah, that's how it is with performances. Artists, singers, dancers, musicians could train for weeks and months on end and everything would be over in a few minutes, hours or so...

So much effort and yet how quickly everything ends.

This got me thinking about life. How the human race strive, work hard, build their life, accumulate wealth, upgrade their homes, cars, possessions, etc... Striving for perfection, for the best, in their life. And when the end comes, everything would be over in a blink of an eye.

What are we working for? What are we striving for? What are we stressed out over for?

And i will have to constantly remind myself to be careful and not lose sight of what i believe in, what i am convinced of...

Yours carefully,

SS -.-'

Imagine Me Without You

Here's another of Jaci's songs, uploaded by jmbrulz.





As long as stars shine down from heaven
And the rivers run into the seas
Till the end of time forever
You're the only love I'll need
In my life You're all that matters
In my eyes the only truth I see
When my hopes and dreams have shattered
You're the one that's there for me

When I found You, I was blessed
And I will never leave You, I need You

Imagine me without You
I'd be lost and so confused
I wouldn't last a day, I'd be afraid
Without You there to see me through
Imagine me without You
Lord, You know it's just impossible
Because of You it's all brand new
My life is now worthwhile
I can't imagine me without You

When You caught me I was falling
Your love lifted me back on my feet
It was like You heard my calling
And You rushed to set me free

Lay It Down

i first heard Jaci Velasquez sang a Christmas song and i fell in love with her voice and that jazzy tune which i kept replaying over and over again (too bad i couldn't remember the title). And just now as i was Youtubing, i found out that she is a Christian singer and she has sung many uplifting and inspiring songs. i particularly like this song 'Lay It Down' and have embedded one here which was uploaded by a Youtuber, kellyls9, who was touched by this song.

I've been lookin' till my eyes are tired of lookin'
Listenin' till my ears are numb from listenin'
Prayin' till my knees are sore from kneelin' on the bedroom floor
I know that You know that my heart is achin'
I'm runnin' out of tears and my will is breakin'
I don't think that I can carry the burden of it anymore

All of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans
Are slowly slippin' through my folded hands

So I'm gonna lay it down
I'm gonna learn to trust You now
What else can I do
Everything I am depends on You

And if the sun don't come back up
I know Your love will be enough
I'm gonna let it be
I'm gonna let it go
I'm gonna lay it down

I've been walkin' through this world like I'm barely livin'
Buried in the doubt of this hole I've been diggin'

But You're pullin' me out I'm finally breathing in the open air
This room maybe dark but I'm finally seein'
There's a new ray of hope and now I'm believin'
That the past is past and the future's beginning to look brighter now

Oh, cause all of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans
Are safe and secure when I place them in Your hands

Like A Star

i heard this song quite sometime ago and was captivated by the singer's sultry voice. The music is hauntingly beautiful. Like A Star is sung by Corinne Bailey Rae. i love its musical arrangement especially the guitar.

Just like a star across my sky
Just like an angel off the page
You have appeared to my life
Feel like I'll never be the same

Just like a song in my heart
Just like oil on my hands
Oh, I do love you

Still I wonder why it is
I don't argue like this
With anyone but you
We do it all the time
Blowing out my mind

You've got this look I can't describe
You make me feel like I'm alive
When everything else is a fade
Without a doubt you're on my side

Heaven has been away too long
Can't find the words to write this song
Oh, your love

Still I wonder why it is
I don't argue like this
With anyone but you
We do it all the time
Blowing out my mind

I have come to understand
The way it is, it's not a secret anymore
'Cause we've been through that before
From tonight I know that you're the only one
I've been confused and in the dark, now I understand

I wonder why it is
I don't argue like this
With anyone but you
I wonder why it is

I won't let my guard down
For anyone but you
We do it all the time
Blowing out my mind

Just like a star across my sky
Just like an angel off the page
You have appeared to my life
Feel like I'll never be the same
Just like a song in my heart
Just like oil on my hands