Change the world* - Eric Clapton

I am only one But still, I am one I cannot do everything But still, I can do something And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do
Edward Everett Hale

*Taken from the soundtrack of the brilliant movie, Phenomenon, Babyface sang back-up for it too.

I love Paris* - Frank Sinatra

I finally watched Ratatouille a couple of weeks ago. To be honest, i was lil disappointed wif it. That's not to say i din enjoy it. But the reviews have been so good and word of mouth has been praising it a lot. It was therefore hard to keep my expectations at a reasonable low level. In the end, it was just alrite for me. No regrets watching it but won't be seeing it again.

It had its moments and i know there has to be a suspension of reality whenever i watch an animation movie. But it went too far - for me - when Remy started to control the movements of Linguini just by pulling his hair!!! It's almost like the writers just couldn't figure out a way for Remy to take charge of Linguini's cooking.

And another small matter - everyone in Paris was speaking English??? Albeit in a French accent?????? The best of Pixar still has to be a toss-up between Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo. To me, anyways.

Still, i enjoyed it for the depictions of Paris!!!!

Taken from Pixar's site for this movie

Ah.... it brings back so many memories. The Seine, Notra Dame, the cobblestone streets, the roadside cafes, the night views!!!!

Paris will always be special to me. It was the place where i went wif me flat mates during spring of 2006. It was also the place where we last saw Alberto who returned to Italy after the trip. Talk about dramatic, we said our goodbyes on the Eiffel Tower itself!

Then i went back there again in autumn, spent one nite there wif a couple of me mates and stayed on for another 5 days, just wondering around on me own.

I did my Monet rounds and saw all of his paintings in Paris...

It was an emotional trip for me and watching the movie raised those emotions again. Paris also happens to be her favourite place. Me? It'll always be London. But Paris is not that far behind.

p/s - coming up soon, my take on Hairspray!!!! In a nutshell? Brilliant!!! Couldn't stop tapping my feet, drumming me fingers and had that stupid smile cemented on me face - even after the movie ended!!! :-)

Poster taken from a link in IMDB

*Originally sung by Lilo in the musical Can-Can, this version is prolly more well known.

The power of love* - Huey, Lewis and the News

Loving kindness doesn't mean you never get angry, but understanding how anger springs up when you feel threatened loosens its grip - that brings strength. It's not power that corrupts, wrote Aung San Suu Kyi, it's fear.

Whatever the outcome of the monks' revolt, their courage in stepping outside the monasteries to stand by ordinary people is a victory in itself.

The monks are honouring the Buddha's words, teaching that loving kindness is also a call to action. Just as a mother would risk her life for her child, her only child, so let one cultivate boundless love towards all beings.

(Taken from here)

What really struck me when i read the excerpt above is Suu Kyi's quote. Being a law student once (and now taking the position on the other side of the lecture hall), i have been taught - and can never forget - the maxim that "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". I still hold on to it but Suu Kyi's view gives a whole new twist to it. It explains why absolute powers corrupts absolutely. It is fear.

And we all know that a little green CGI fella once said, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering".

On the other hand, the Bible tells us that love is the absence of fear. 1 John 4v18 tells us that "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love".

I am impressed and inspired by the exhibition of love by the monks in Burma. Some of you would know that i am also a long time admire of Aung San Suu Kyi. I am not a Bhuddist. But i respect them. Unlike a certain other religion which calls for violence and murder each time they feel offended (and it's pretty often), they believe in the opposite.

Sometimes, as a Christian, i feel ashamed that we are not displaying love as much as we should be - after all, we do claim that we are receipients of God's great love.

*Their first #1 hit, it was written for the brilliant movie, Back to the Future, which to me, is the most accurate and goof-free time travel show ever. It was also featured in the 2 sequels.

More than words* - Extreme

More updates on the situation up north:-

The Burmese state radio station, Radio Myanmar, reported that one person had been killed and three others injured - the first official confirmation that the violence had caused casualties.

Earlier, a hospital source in Rangoon told the BBC that the monks were beaten with rifle butts, and that taxi drivers had transported the injured to nearby medical facilities.

There were unconfirmed reports of at least three deaths on Wednesday, including a civilian, and two monks who were killed near the Shwedagon pagoda. State radio spoke only of one death.

Read the report here. (Photo taken from BBC News Online).

If you wanna see more pics (and even some videos), head over to this Burmese blogger's site here.

ADDENDUM: Here's the latest from BBC Online (as at 0331 hours, UK time). While most of us here in M'sia were sleeping last nite/early this morning, authorities stormed into monasteries and arrested "scores of monks" in an attempt to try to "stem a rising tide of protest". Read about it here.

On a side note, while many nations in the west are calling for sanctions and/or other measures (including a threat from Brown himself!!!) so that the junta stops the violence, guess what was M'sia's response? Oh, they were concern alright. Concern for THEMSELVES!!!! Not long after spouting crap on BBC's Hardtalk recently, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar was quoted saying that the situation in Burma is worrisome - because it is an embarrassment for ASEAN!!! He went on to say that if not settled, it would be a joke on ASEAN that it could not resolve it!!!!!!!! Don't believe me? Read it here.

Malaysians, think hard before voting in the next elections.

Back on the home front, i called up me mate yesterday at about half 12, checking to see if the lawyers were all beaten up and thrown into jail. They weren't. They were just starting their march!!!!

She explained that the delay was caused (they were supposed to start the march at 11 am) because authorities did not allow the buses ferrying the lawyers into Putrajaya!!!!

So in the end, all these lawyers had to make the trek all the way into Putrajaya under the afternoon sun, all decked in their black suits!!!! Must have been quite a sight to behold.

I must ask wat is all the bus-stopping all about???? Is the government afraid of a group of lawyers walking peacefully, protesting against corruption? Was it a desperate attempt to to stop them?

Well, they (the lawyers) stood their ground and physical inconvenience did not deter them. Good for you all!!! One blogger even commented that in view of this, there'll be no more lawyer-bashing jokes... for one month!

p/s - pic of lawyers marching taken from The Star Online.

*Arguably, their biggest hit ever, peaking at #1 in the US in 1991, arguably their biggest hit ever. Kinda ironic since they are a funk metal group and this is an acoustic piece.

Nothing's gonna stop us now* - Starship

Latest breaking news from BBC News Online:-

Burma riot police beat back monks

Burmese police have used batons and tear gas to beat back monks and other protesters at the Rangoon pagoda used as a rallying-point for marchers.

...police beat their shields with their batons and yelled orders to disperse before giving chase.

Some demonstrators were beaten and dragged away in trucks and dozens were arrested.

Eyewitnesses saw a number of protesters fall to the ground amid the chaos.

"We have already decided to risk our lives for the people, although there might be some clashes," one senior monk told AFP news agency before the baton charge.

"We will show our kindness first."

Read the report here.

On the home front, in spite of unjustified criticism by a certain politician who just can't seem to keep quiet, the members of the Malaysian Bar marched to the PM's office to hand over a memorandum to the Prime Minister's office, calling for a royal commission to investigate the authenticity of a video clip showing a senior lawyer purportedly brokering the appointment of judges with a senior judge.

Apparently, according to this politician, by doing so, the lawyers are stooping to the levels of the opposition parties. What the...???? I guess he prolly doesn't think highly of people like Gandhi, the monks in Burma, the Chinese students at 天安门 Square, etc. And this came not too long after he said that the parents of the little girl who was murdered can be charged in Court for a criminal negligence. How very sensitive.

*Featured in the movie, Mannequin, it hit #1 in 1987, listening to it still brings back memories of those days!

Waiting for that day* - George Michael

23 days have passed by since i started work here. That means around 550 hours. Or over 33 thousand minutes.

Another minute has passed by since i started this post.

I'm a lecturer here. Yet, i have not stepped into a class to teach. Not yet.

The others laughed when i shared during the training session that i just can't wait to start, to be unleashed onto the poor unsuspecting students!!! Perhaps, being experienced teachers, they find my naïvety cute.

Word is out among some students that i am apparently a "teddy bear"!!! Hah! How wrong can they be, and how sorry they'll feel if they come to my class thinking so.

See any common traits between me and PB???

So many ideas in me head, so many thoughts, so many lessons to share, so many experiments to try out.

But just like every other day, i'm stuck here in me cell of a room, freezing away, immersing meself with legal literature...

People react with envy when they find out i have one whole month without any classes, allocated just to prepare for the lessons. They dun know me well.

I. Can't. Wait. To. Start.!!!!!!

p/s - the bright side is that this Sat's training is postponed, so for the second time in this whole month, i get to sleep in late. Bliss!!!!

*Brilliant acoustic track written by George, he gave the co-writing credits to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards cuz he used the line "You can't always get what you want" at the end of the song.

Stand* - Jewel

Are we on the brink of witnessing history being made in Burma? Read the news report here.

Pic obtained from BBC News Online

*The 2nd single from her 0304 album, this is my fav song of that album.

Anytime you need a friend* - Mariah Carey

Is it any surprise that i turned out to be my fav character???

Which Friends Character Are You?

You are Chandler. You're funny and that's why people like to have you around. You're also a great friend, and when someone you care about is in trouble, they know to come to you for some level-headed advice followed by some sharp sarcasm.



Find Your Character here @ BrainFall.com

*The last single from her album, Music Box, it was her only single from that album which did not hit #1 and did better in the UK than in the US.

Welcome to our world* - Amy Grant

Saw this trailer before a movie (more about that movie another time) the other day. Loved it! At first, it looked pretty ordinary, but watch on!

Now there's a movie to look forward to this November!!! :-)

*This is her version of a song that we performed during Christmas years ago from a Christmas piece of the same title.

True love* - Elton John and Kiki Dee

During a discussion a couple of weeks back, we were asked how does today's culture depict "love". There were many suggestions - love today is based purely on feelings and emotions, love is sometimes equated with lust, love is always usually self-seeking - what i want, what i feel, what i can get out of it.

I watched another Jap movie last week. I was a little hessitant, to be honest. I was in the mood for some action flick - like Black Sheep, lol!!! But i've heard about this show and how good it is - so i decided to ctach it while i still can. It has been around for a while - since the Jap Film Fest last month.

The title in English is "Love and Honour".

It was simply brilliant. As i walked out of the cinema after the movie, i had that really feel-good feeling inside - the kind which i get after a very satisfactory and brilliant show. I have not had many of such moments in recent times.

It's about a samurai - but no, it's not a Jap martial arts samurai movie wif flying limbs and spraying blood. Altho the one samurai fight scene was brilliant.

No, it's a love story - and one with a so predictable ending. But to me, it's very refreshing to watch a movie about love which depicts what i believe to be true love. The love is unconditional love. The love is still given no matter how the other person changes, physically or otherwise. The love that sacrifices, that gives. The love that bears all things.

It reminds me of the famous passage in the Bible:-

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Now, that's true love!

p/s - I love Japanese movies!!! Well, except for Jap-horror flicks. A bit too scary for me! I really miss the free Japanese movies screening on campus every Friday evening. Some of the best movies i've watched are Japanese movies. They can be so hilarious and yet they touch on very simple truths about us humans. I'm always impressed by the depths of imagination that is potrayed in their movies. One of the best i've watched is The University of Laughs which simply revolves around a script writer and the Japanese goverment censor who is looking thru the script. When i came back from UK recently, i was watching another Jap movie on the plane - Christmas on July 24th Avenue. If only i have time to blog about all the Jap movies i've seen...

*The first single (i believe) from his album, Duets which went on to peak at #2 in the winter of 1993.

Lost in your eyes* - Debbie Gibson

I get lost in your eyes
And I feel my spirits rise
And soar like the wind...
~Deborah Ann Gibson~

*The first single from her second album, this was her most successful single ever.

Pieces of you* - Jewel

I have this mate who unfortunately happens to be criticised for a lot of things he does. It is unfortunate because this has been happening for a long time. Unfortunate because while these criticisms may be justified on some occasions, i feel that it is not right to pick on his shortcomings all the time and refuse to give him credit for the good he does.

I guess tt's life - if a person does wat is right, people will keep quiet. If he takes one small tiny step out of line, they jump on him. It's really sad cuz i know his heart is right - even if his methods may be a little "different" or creative.

But wat makes me really sad is the kind of person he has turned out to be now. I would have expected him to be one who is encouraging and giving chances to the younger ones, focusing on the good instead of constantly picking on negatives.

I was wrong. A recent example was when i was telling the youth leaders to consider some creative methods used by another church. His immediate response was that those methods were wrong and implied that those people involved were not walking "circumspectly" as the the Bible tells us to. Nothing about the effort put in by them, the quality of the video done, the interesting manner it was presented in, the creativity used to appeal to youths today.

Me mate has become like those who used to just pick on his faults while neglecting his strengths.

Look, i am not saying that wrongs and mistakes should not be corrected (for the record, i do not think that the other church methods were wrong at all but tt's besides the point) but it should be balanced with encouragement and inspiration. Even justice must be tempered with mercy. Are we in the business of tearing down or building up?

But i dun blame me mate. My unhappiness is targeted at those who never gave him a fair chance, those who kept on reminding him how inadequate he is, those who refused to him credit when it is due.

People are looking up to us wherever we are - and if we are not careful with our shortcomings, it will not stop when we leave this terrestial ball - it can be perpetuated by the next generation. Pieces of us - you and me - will remain on this earth long after our physical bodies act as fertilisers for daffodils. Do we want these pieces to be good or bad? I've got to remind meself of that constantly.

Sori for sounding so preachy but i am very much disturbed by this at this time. :-(

*The title song of her debut album, a brilliant guitar vocal song with powerful lyrics about discrimination.

Chances are* - Vonda Shepherd & Robert Downey Jr.

Today, the preacher mentioned something about the miracle of God's providential leading and timing. I looked at me life and i can only testify to the truth of such miracle.

A fine example is how i got my present job. It wasn't planned for initially. Heck, i wasn't even supposed to be in this continent if i had had my way. But when i did return, i started looking for a job. As there weren't any openings for anything related to human rights - nothing that they would pay me for - i went back to me original plan - to teach.

Yet, for some reason - unknown at that time - i wasn't getting any offers. I wasn't even called for interviews!!! There has to be something wrong - even me mates were wondering. After all, armed with a Masters' degree and many years of experience under me belt, surely getting a post to teach law wouldn't be all that difficult. But it was.

Weeks turn to months. I finally got a temp position at UM as a research assistant, something to get me by as i search for the elusive permanent employment.

I had a call from a local college to teach A-Levels. I impressed the principle - that's what he said. But i did not receive a call from them after that.

But my time as an RA at UM wasn't wasted. It was in those few weeks when i realise a few things. First, working with a human rights' NGO wasn't what i really wanted - and i turned down an interview with Amnesty M'sia. Secondly, for reasons best kept to meself, i knew i wouldn't like working at UM - and when a position finally opened up, i turned it down too. Lastly, one of the lecturers at UM got me an interview with a local University College - which happened to be my top choice for a place to teach. I went for it and i got the job.

The week after that, the local college i went for an interview earlier called. Apparently, there was some mixed-up and they were supposed to call me much much earlier to offer me a job. If they had done so earlier, i would have jumped at it - even if it wasn't my first choice. But now, i had the luxury to turn them down. Another University College called me for an interview too and i said no.

Looking back at those months, i realised that if i had been offered a job elsewhere, i would have taken it - even if it wasn't my first choice. Or i would have joined an NGO or UM and later regretted it. Yet, i believe that God was holding back all these things so that i can finally get to the place where i wanted to go to. On top of that, the timing was perfect - i really wanted to go for the mission trip to Romania but was initially doubtful i'd get leave if i start work. But the place where i am now - they only required me to start one month after the Romanian trip. Which meant that i had time to return to UoE and to London, and then back here to relax for a couple of weeks b4 starting.

As i look back now, i can only testify to God's providential leading and timing. The timing was perfect and the job was what i wanted. Some might say that it is all just a big coincidence. To me, i say that it takes a greater faith to believe that it was all down to chance than to believe that God was in control of everything.

Note: What i've shared here above is just the condensed version. If you wanna hear the full version, we'll have to do it over many cups of coffee or teh tarik!

*Taken from one of the soundtracks to Ally McBeal when Robert joined the cast and won a Golden Globe award.

The right combination*- Donnie Wahlberg & Seiko Matsuda

It feels good to be an England fan again!!!!

Pic taken during CNY of 2006

No, it's not so much the fact that they won their last 2 games and scored 6 goals in total while conceding none. Not for me anyways. To me, it's simply brilliant to hear about their performance - they are finally playing as a team. Yes, "hear". Unfortunately, i missed both games. I did catch last Saturday's game for a while, tho - long enuf to see Gareth Barry playing impressively!!! I initially thought he was Gerrard!

The place where the games were played

And yes, finally! They are a team - not a bunch of overpaid spoiled rich men behaving like boys. OK - maybe that wasn't fair but now, everyone is saying how they are playing like a team. It took them long enuf to do so. And it was by a freak chance that paved the way - with the likes of Beckham, Lampard, Hargreaves and Rooney injured, McClaren had no choice but to take his chances on others. He was basically forced to do so - and it worked!!!

So who cares if it was by a lucky fluke that England finally found the right combination? Coca Cola was also a lucky fluke - it was some cough medicine gone wrong.

So there you have it - Gerrard and Barry in the middle, complementing each other so well. Heskey and Owen up front - not my fav pair but they compliment each other too!!! I guess the whole of England gave a collective groan when Heskey was announced to be in the team - but this is one of the occasions when its so good to be proven wrong. Joe Cole and SWP doing the damage.

Now the nation waits and see - is McClaren gonna be man enuf to stick to the right combination, the winning one. Or is he gonna be like his predecessor and be awed by the stars? Everyone can say now that the presnt team proves that football is a team sport - you dun get chosen based purely on your star power (or in some cases, your ability to sell jerseys). You get chosen because of what you can contribute to the team. The pundits can see that. The critics can see that. The fans can see that. Heck, even i can see that. But can the manager see that?

He can thank his lucky stars that the injuries came when it did. But in the next game, it'll take more than luck - it'll take guts to stick to what is the right combination.

p/s - while this McClaren was lucky, the other McLaren in motorsports weren't so!!! The decision effectively gives the constructors' championship to Ferari! *sigh*

*Released in 1990, this was an attempt by Seiko to break into the North American market. She used to hold the record as having the most #1 by a female singer - 25 in all, 24 of which were achieved consecutively!!!

Memory* - Elaine Paige

As i walked away from me car (yes, i drove today!!!), i checked the sticker on the windshield and glanced at me watch to make sure the sticker is valid today. 13th September...

Then i remembered what happened last year -and i smiled.

Still smiling...

*Arguably the most popular song from the musical, Cats. I have to confess that i was happilly singing this song for years before finding out it was from a musical - yeah, it was the Barbra Streisand version.

Don't stop me now* - Queen

I push open the door to the men's staff toilet when i heard someone shouting at me.

"Boy!!" ...or something which sounded like that - her indonesian accent was pretty strong (It was the cleaning lady).

Moi?

"You pergi bilik air di atas" (You have to go to the toilet upstairs).

"Kenapa? Tak boleh guna-ke?" (Why? This toilet cannot be used?)

"Ini untuk orang ofis saje". (This is meant for "office people" only - meaning for staff).

I smiled at her and replied, "Oh, saya ni orang ofis". As i walk into the toilet, i threw a glance at her direction and the look on her face was priceless.

It's not the first time - and definately won't be the last - i've been mistaken for a student. Maybe tt's why Foo Seng grew a moustache when he started working here?

*One of my all time favs, more for the memories, tho. We broke out into singing and... well, not really dancing but we were grooving to it as we were preparing the food for the Graduation in UoE last year. And who can forget that brilliant scene in Shaun of the Dead with this song?

Invisible* - Clay Aiken

I was greeted this morning by an e-mail from the director of the Teaching and Learning Center which led me to this article entitled "Invisible Hours". Basically, it's regarding all the extra unseen hours a lecturer has to put in. Here are some excerpts:-

Much of my real work takes place outside the classroom and the campus, and is performed during what my first department head referred to as "invisible" time. If a faculty member falls in a forest, or grades papers alone until midnight, and no one sees or hears her, does that accountable time still exist? Does she? ...

What, exactly, are we doing when no one's watching? We're reading new editions and preparing to use them in our courses. The booming used-book business has forced publishers to compensate by issuing new editions at a rapid rate -- in some instances, yearly. With a new edition or an old one, it takes 10 or more hours to prepare for a seminar.

We're also reading and evaluating student work. It can take an hour or more to grade a single paper; a semester's worth of my students' papers is the equivalent of War and Peace (a rather bad translation of War and Peace). ...

When, then, does the invisible time we need to do our jobs actually come into play?

The answer is during all available "free" slots -- any weekdays hours without a scheduled class (I gave up those daily lunches in the campus bistro long ago), late afternoons, late nights, early mornings, Sundays, summer days not already devoted to in-class time, and most major holidays.

I've graded papers while the Thanksgiving turkey was in the oven, prepped Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth at 2 a.m. in a conference hotel, and read Samuel Beckett's Endgame at Little League practice.

The writer estimates a total of 60 hours a week is spent when she takes into account the "invisible hours".

To be honest, after just one week, i'll be happy if my hours a week are anywhere near the ballpark of 60!!!! There's just so much to read, to research, to investigate, to read, to prepare, to rehearse (yes, as one of me mates put it, it's a performance each ime you step into a class), to read, to think... and did i mention to read????

I spent a big part of last Saturday going online and looking for materials (which includes going to youtube, hehehe) to illustrate me lessons. Last nite, as the super boring Bible teacher rambled on and on, my mind was thinking of the things i can say to me students to inspire and encourage them. I even blog about things i'm learning at work (someone shoot me when i start blogging about the definition of "Family" in Family Law and the elements of the crime of theft...).

So to those who envy me because on paper, i'll prolly only have less than 5 hours of lectures a week and 40 days of vacation a year, dun. A 60 hour week will prolly mean i had been slacking off!!!

But still, i'm excited about it. I'm looking forward to it. And at the end of the day, i hope to be able to say what the writer of the abovementioned article said:-

And most of those days, it seemed worth it. This is, after all, the life I wished for (although I've come to wish for just a little bit less of it).

*The first single from the debut album of Clay Aiken - in my view, it doesnt do justice to his talent!

My life* - Billy Joel

I was pretty happy yesterday when i found out that the training scheduled this morning (Saturday) had been canceled!!! Woohoo!!!! It was nice to be able to have the Saturday to do something different - after all, all i did for the whole week was sit in front of me computer and books in me office and prepared for lessons.

So what did i do today? I sat in front of me laptop and books at home and prepared for lessons!!!

I need to get a life!

At least i managed to blog...

*Did you know that Chicago members Peter Cetera and Donnie Dacus sang backing vocals for this song which was released in 1978? I just found out!

I only want to be with you* - Bay City Rollers

What famous person alive today would you like to spend a day with? Why?

That was the opening question to our Bible Study last week. I thought it was interesting - esp when we decided to enlarge the perimeter of question to include those not alive too. Unfortunately, just as i was about to share, someone - who either is in love wif his own voice or felt it is his calling to dominate the discussion - cut me off and took up the whole time. We had to move on to the next question then.

I was pretty excited about the question, actually. So much so i just could not understand some others who earlier answered that they would rather spend their time sleeping!!!!!! Beyond my comprehension but i guess to each his/her own.

I myself was struggling to think of just one person!!!! There are so many!!!! Spending the day with a wonderful comedian like Rowan Atkinson or Robin Williams would surely be unforgettable. Or a day with Dave Weckl would surely improve my drumming skills. Or how about a day with Aung San Suu Kyi? Or Mandela? Or Ghandhi? I might just be tempted to spend the day with Liv Tyler!!! Or Jessica Alba. Hehehe. Maybe Jewel...

Anyways, as i am a greedy person, i would choose 3 people. One dead, one alive and one... well, interesting!!!!

The first would be Eric Liddell. Most of the people would have heard about him from the movie, The Chariots of Fire.

Christians would know of him as a missionary to China where he stayed and refused to leave when Japan was at war with China. He was subsequently put into an internment camp, suffered undernourishment and was overworked, and finally died from a brain tumour. He is one person whom God has used to inspire and encourage me even till now. And wherever i go - be it in the interior jungles of Malaysia or in Romania, i have shared about how God has worked thru this wonderful man. It would be great to chat wif him about his experience during the 1924 Olympics but i would really want to know about his work in China.

The next person would be former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair. I've been a great admire of him and i would love to chat with him about his wonderful career - to ask him about how he handled the major crisis like the death of Princess Diana, the 7-7 bombings and other significant events which took place when he was the PM. One of the main thing would be his decision to go to war - to hear it from him personally.

Finally, i would like to meet with what some would today refer to as an evil person (tho some might think otherwise). There are so many people in history who has been responsible for so many deaths. People like Hitler, Idi Amin, Ceauşescu, Stalin, Mao etc. I would want to know what was it that made them that way?

Were they just pure evil with no conscience or were they just crazy men, or simply misguided in their thinking. I guess i have this morbid fascination about these people - and a curiosity. Maybe tt's why i'm attracted to "bad" characters in movies and TV programmes!!!!

*Their cover of Dusty Springfield's song which was recently done in a pretty cool piano guitar version by Vonda Shepherd in Ally McBeal's TV soundtrack. Love it.

Food, glorious food* - Cast of Oliver

Michael: Why do you chinese people like to take photos of food????? (as i was trying to snap a pic of his lunch)

Well, Mikes, so that we can blog about it!!!! Haha!

Food eaten at Essex, Mersea, London, Romania, Munich and the OA Camp

Been busy and tired. Will resume normal service soon... hopefully!!!!!

*The opening song of the musical! A spoof of this song was sung by the vultures in Ice Age: The Meltdown.

Everything changes* - Take That

Yes, it can happen so quickly. Life as we know it can change in a blink of an eye. Unlikely friendships can blossom. Important careers can be tossed aside. The long lost hope can be rekindled. Still, we should be grateful for whatever changes life throws at us. Because all too soon, the day will come when there are no changes left.

Mary Alice Young, Desperate Housewives 313

As i stand at the doorway of yet another major chapter of me life, i'm filled wif the same mixed feelings i always get when faced wif a similar situation - regret and anticipation, happiness and sadness, dread and excitement. So much so that the feelings seem to negate each other and i'm left emotionless...

*Their 4th consecutive single from their second album of the same name to go straight to #1.

I'll remember* - Madonna

Finally, i've completed me blog regarding me mission trip to Romania!!!!

The title of the blog is "Remembering Romania" and you can view it here.

*Her hit song which was featured in the movie With Honours.