truly madly deeply

If you're gone* - Matchbox 20

2012-01-27T16:33:00.004+01:00

Saw this earlier (see the part circled in red):-

For a moment, my heart leap! They sold Carroll!!!! Yes! Some team actually paid money for him - and hopefully, it was good money.

If he's gone, we can start to look for a new striker. KD can stop putting him in hoping that he'll deliver. Things can only get better, right???

I clicked on the link - and to my dismay, it was referring to ROY Carroll and not Andy Carroll (see here).

Sigh...

*Their second single from their Mad Season album, one of my fav song of theirs.

Just the two of us* - Will Smith

2012-01-19T11:04:00.002+01:00

The Wife said that she was glad that I could look at the matter differently from the rest and decided to do it. Truth be told, I dun think I saw it any differently. In fact, tt’s wat I told me mom – that it would be extremely jammed up at that time – both going there and coming back. The area is pretty bad and to go there after office hours at the peak time will only mean being stuck there and frustrated.

Furthermore, it was merely RM100!!! Yes, Hannah Yeoh had arranged for senior citizens like me mom to be able to shop for free up to RM100 – but only at that particular place, only between 6 – 8 pm!!! I actually told me mom that I can very well give her the RM100. In fact, I would rather give her the RM100 than to brave thru the traffic at peak hour.

Somehow – and I dun know what happened – I just relented. I agreed to do so.

So on the day in question, I got back home and did not get to rest much before embarking on our journey into “Jam-ville”.

But to our pleasant surprise, it was not very badly jammed up. Not at all! =)

I spent the next hour or so shopping for groceries with me mom. Thereafter, we went out for dinner with the Wife who joined us after she finished work. By the time dinner was over, the traffic had cleared up significantly and we got home quite stress-free. And me mom got the back seat filled with groceries!

I was really glad that something moved me to agree to take me mom there. I know for certain now it was God’s prompting. Looking back, it is clear now that it meant a lot for me mom. She is not rich – and neither are her children. Getting this RM100 is not something one gets all the time. Compared with the kind of money I get these days, it may not seem to be a lot – but it is to her. She is always so thrifty, never wasteful.

I was also thinking of how she would have felt if we all just refused to take her – which we could have very well done so. When we were young and small, she would carry us to where we want to go. When we got bigger, sure she could not afford a car but she would take us by public transport to buy our stuffs. Now that we are all grown up and have our own cars, how would she feel if we simply refuse to do so cuz it is inconvenient for us? She never complained about it being inconvenient for her.

Perhaps the best thing that came out of this was that I managed to spend some quality time with me mom! =)

It has been a long time since we have spent time together, just the two of us. Especially now that I’m married and have moved out. So while navigating the traffic and taking me mom on the short-cuts around PJ, we chatted. And I enjoyed it so much.

It was also then she told me how much she appreciated the gift that the Wife and I gave her for Christmas. It was a DVD of a popular and funny pastor in Hong Kong. She even told me the things that the pastor shared. She truly was blessed by the DVD and we praise God for that.

On top of that, she is now using the DVD to bless others too – offering to lend it to her frens and letting my niece watch it when she gets home from school. =)

I would have missed out on so much blessings if I simply refused to take me mom out in the first place. Moments like these are few and far between – and will definitely be cherished for a long long time!

*His version of this brilliant song dedicated to his son.

For the first time* - The Script

2012-01-16T10:16:00.003+01:00

After the pathetic attempt of being more consistent in my running last year, i decided that i will make it a point to sign up for as many runs as possible this year - in a way, it's to prepare me for the major half-marathon run at the end of the year - the Penang Bridge run and perhaps the Stand Chart S'pore run!

The fact that the last run last year was pretty excouraging (see 2 posts below) also made me start to look for runs to participate in. The first run for the year was the Mizuno Wave Run.

I took part in it a few years ago - pretty challenging as the route covered many hills and slopes. Someone even said that's why they called it the "wave" run!!!

But since then, it has moved to UPM. I've never been there before but me running mate (the last one standing), Mah Pung ran that last year. I managed to get him to sign up with me and we went for it last Sunday.

The sea of red runners gathering at the starting line just as dawn was breaking

It was pretty good! In the first place, the route was wonderful - we ran around the campus and i must say it was pleasing to the eyes. I enjoyed looking at the lecture theatres, the halls of residence, the many lakes and ponds, the greenery, the fields etc.

It was much more challenging than my last run which was around the very flatland of USJ!!! Still, it was not as bad as the last Wave run i went for! The weather was pretty cooling - due to the plants around - but i found it to be pretty humid. My running vest was totally soaked at the end of the race!

The goodie bag was nothing to shout about - but they did have lots of food at the end of the race!!! And i like the red running vest (red cuz of CNY???)

Oh, this was my first race in the veteran category!!!! The junior veteran category! It felt good running past all those men from the "A" category who looked so much fitter and are obviously younger than i am. And altho the ladies started 15 minutes before the men, i passed quite a big number of them!

But the best thing of all was that i bettered my time which i set for the Subang Jaya run just slightly more than a month ago. Now being more challenging, the fact that i completed it faster bodes well for me! I *am* improving!!!

So here's to more runs this year - and last nite itself, we have signed up for a the Brookes run in March! Mah Pung will be going for the half marathon but i'll still stick to the 10 km run. The ankles are still hurting a little today and both legs were cramping up yesterday as i tried to push myself to cross the finishing line.

I've oredi ear-marked a run in S'pore in April. Thereafter, it'll be the KL Marathon in June!

*The aptly titled song which was their first ever no. 1 hit.

Stay the same* - Joey McIntyre

2012-01-12T11:24:00.004+01:00

I know that my "Highlights of 2011" post is really overdue. But this post here is referring to one of the many highlights - and it is important to warrant a post on it's own.

Last December, an old fren of mine came back from overseas for a visit. To my surprise - a pleasant one - he wanted to meet up with me, among others.

Still, it has been a really long time and to be honest, i wondered if things would be awkward.

Thankfully - and obviously, since this was one of the highlights of the year - it wasn't. There were four of us who used to hang out a lot together - and we all met up again and had a wonderful time - we reminisce about the past and caught up with what was happening in our lives.

Just like really good old frens, it was like the time between our last meeting and now just melted away. Of course some things have changed - like we're all married now! But the most important things stay the same - our sense of humour, our tastes and interest, our frenship. And i'm so glad that it is that way. On top of all this, the four of us now have partners - and this makes a nice addition to the whole frenship.

Jit Tat and me at Pulau Tioman - yup we talked a little about this trip long ago

Our last group photo until last month

Our latest group photo - with some additions =)

*His first and most successful single.

One more time* - Daft Punk

2012-01-10T11:02:00.000+01:00

This unfinished post has been sitting in my drafts folder for a while. Time to complete it!!!

I went for the last run of the year in early December - it was a race which i originally wanted to go for but failed to sign up on time (yeah, the perils of procrastination) but in the end, it was postponed as it was scheduled originally to take place on the 9th of July!!!

It's the Subang Jaya 10 km run! So when it was rescheduled to be in December, i signed up for it. When i went sigining up, i realised what my bib number was going to be:-

I jokingly told the guy that Chinese ppl would think that the number is bad!!!! It's basically "die, die, die"!!!!!

Thank God it went well. I enjoyed the run. The crowd was actually very small - i guess the *real* runners were down in S'pore running the Stan Chart marathon there!

Most importantly, it was the best 10km timing that i got in my post-operation days!!!! Not that i have ran many races after my op!!!

I was pretty glad of the timing. Furthermore, it seemed to have sparked off my interest and enjoyment of running again! I've been running more regularly since - and i actually look forward to it, not taking it like a chore i have to do.

My first race for 2012 will be this Sunday! =)

*This is their biggest commercial hit - and it is number 307 on Rolling Stone's amended "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list in May 2010.

Not guilty* - George Harrison

2012-01-09T09:45:00.005+01:00

So this was the big news today. Anwar is not guilty! So many status updates on fb was regarding this. It made the main news of the BBC News online too!!!

So what does this mean? He is innocent? Legally speaking, yes. After all, everyone is innocent until proven guilty - and the court found that the prosecution did not prove his guilt.

Did he really not do what he did? I do not him nor the victim personally - so it is hard for me to make a conclusion for sure. He knows it for sure. But more importantly, God knows - and God is just. Everyone will have to pay for what they have done.

So was this a big surprise? Well, no. Not to me anyways. A small one, maybe. But it makes sense, doesn't it? If one were to believe in conspiracy theories and that the judiciary is being controlled by the government, then it does not make sense for the government to antagonise the people any further. Perhaps they have finally learnt from their past mistakes? That by going after Anwar in a bully manner, those who sat on the fence eventually sided the seeming underdog - some even out of pity.

Someone posted on FB recently - if you put away Anwar, a thousand more "Anwar"s will arise.

So for conspiracy theorists, this could be a win-win situation for the government - do not antagonise the people, and at the same time, make themself look good! There are oredi politicians from the government who are saying now that the judiciary is independent!

Then there are those who think that this is a no win situation for the government. Guilty or not guilty, the government will end up in a bad light.

When the verdict came out, someone told me immediately that this is just an election ploy! If the verdict had been guilty, some people would say that the government is just out to get Anwar. The opposition will get even stronger and Anwar would get more sympathy by being the opposition leader behind bars.

Still, i do not pity the government. If this is a no-win situation for them, it is totally self-induced. They have behaved in a manner that no matter they do now, they can never do right.

Oh yeah - for you Anwar supporters who are rejoicing over the decision, dun forget that that there is still the Court of Appeal - and the Federal Court!!!

*This is his remake of the Beatles' version - his version being less "harsher", featuring the acoustic guitar and piano.

When you say nothing at all* - Ronan Keating

2012-01-08T05:53:00.003+01:00

Starting reading the book of Job for my daily devotion in the middle of the week.

Basically, Job was a man of God who suffered a great deal. The book contains mainly his discourse with 3 of his friends - all of whom basically concluded that Job was suffering because of his sins. They basically made things worse for Job.

One of the thought of the day was that sometimes in times of suffering, the best help we can offer is just to be there - and not say anything.

I remembered a time when one of my fren's father passed away. We went to see him and we basically sat in silence with him. He however was expecting more from us - and he basically laughed at us for coming to see him to comfort him but not saying anything at all.

But what could we say? "We know how you feel". We didn't. "It's alright, he's in a better place now". Does he really want to hear that now? Maybe he had hoped that we came to say something that would somehow take away the pain of the loss. But we couldn't. Is there anything that can be said?

I remembered years after that when i finally went thru a similar bereavement, i was thankful to all my frens - not so much for anything they said but just them being there.

If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
Job13:5

*One of his classics, this was also featured in the soundtrack of the movie, Notting Hill.

Better* - Boyzone

2012-01-06T05:38:00.005+01:00

We went for a holiday to Bangkok - finally! It was originally planned much earlier and we were supposed to go in October last year. Well, mother nature had other plans and to cut the long story short (yes, it was a long story but thank God things worked out well, generally), we finally went there last week.

It was a pretty good holiday. The wife got lots and lots of dresses at good prices. Me? I got a pair of Darth Vader boxers!!!!! =)

There were no signs that the place was earlier threatened with floods - lots of tourists around too.

We generally found the place to be nice - in some ways, much nicer than our own capital city, KL!!!!

Check out in my other blog (click here) 10 reasons why we felt that Bangkok is much better than KL!!!

Some of the reasons are light-hearted in nature - but most are true (to us, anyways) and we felt that KL is lacking so much, especially in the public transport area and the attitudes of people. Ah well... but this is home.

*Their remake of Tom Baxter's song which can be found in their compilation album released in 2008.

Don't come back knockin'* - Buddy Holly

2012-01-05T06:53:00.005+01:00

CT Scan - RM610.00

Breakfast at hospital cafeteria - RM3.20

Doctor's consultation fees - RM190.00

Parking fees - RM3.00

Confirmation that the tumour hasn't recurred - Priceless!

Thank God that the scan revealed that there has been no changes to the scan i took last year (see here). Thank God that i've been given a clean bill of health. Nice start to the year!!!

I pray that the tumour does not come back again!

*This track can be found on side 2 of his That'll be the day album - his last album before his untimely death.

Always look on the bright side of life* - Monty Python

2012-01-04T06:35:00.002+01:00

This is the reason why footie fans shouldn't gloat when the teams they dislike loses - because in football, as the cliche goes, the ball is round. What goes around, comes around. No team will win forever!

So after feeling good about Man Utd losing (see post below), the Man Utd fans will be laughing at how we got thrashed last night!!!!!

But then again, i think last nite was one of the rare occasions (that makes football so interesting) when the Man Utd fans were rooting for Liverpool! After all, Liverpool was playing Man City!!!

Anyways, the quote of the day has got to be from me wife. After i told her sadly that Liverpool lost to Man City, she said this:-

"but that (Man City beating Liverpool) can be a good thing right since we most likely won't be the champion anyway. They beat us now at least they can stay on top of the [table] and not give man u any chance at all."

She has only started following BPL last season and she is oredi understanding it well!!!

Oh, methinks she's a secret Man City fan - but only because she finds them entertaining to watch. Which i agree.

*Originally featured in the movie The Life of Bryan, sung by people who were crucified!!!

Schadenfreude* - Natalie Venetia Belcon, Rick Lyon

2011-12-31T16:43:00.003+01:00

I think it's not very nice when one gloats over another's misfortune.

Still, i cannot help but feel happy. I'm not gloating - just being honest about how i feel! After all, the first thing i read this morning was how Manchester United will most probably enter the new year being on top of the table. Well, this proved to be not true now!!!

And after all the flak the Liverpool fans received from Man Utd fans for not being able to beat the basement club, now the basement club has gone to their own yard and beaten them in the biggest shock this season!

Poor Alex Ferguson... it won't be a very happy birthday for him...

But i hope he still enjoys his 70th birthday - he has done much great things and this defeat should not cloud any of his great achievements.

For now tho, Liverpool fans and Manchester City fans will all be celebrating!

Happy New Year, folks!

*Taken from the original Broadway recording of the excellent musical, Avenue Q.

Bethlehemian Rhapsody* - Apologetix

2011-12-25T16:31:00.002+01:00

The story of Christmas - what happened and why. Hope you'll enjoy it.

Is this the real birth?
Is it nativity?
Caught in a census
in the town of his ancestry.

Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see.
He’s just a poor boy foretold by prophecy.
Because the wise men come, wise men go, angels high, shepherds low.
This is how God’s love shows.
It’s a wondrous story to me, to me.

Mary just got the word.
The angel did appear but he told her not to fear.
Mary now it’s just begun; your son is gonna wash our sins away.
Mary ooo (this is how God’s love shows) the God who reigns on high has sent his son to you to die for all.

I see a little silhouette-o of a sheep.
Shepherds watch, shepherds watch over there like the night time.
Angels shine like lightning very, very frightening me!

Glory to God, Peace on Earth, Glory to God, Peace on Earth!
Unto you is born this day, the only way!

I’m just a shepherd nobody loves me.
He’s just a shepherd from a poor family.
Angels said go to the stable and see.

Wise men come, wise men go, will Herod let him live?
Hey Herod – No! he will not him live – better go!
Hey Herod – he will not him live – better go!
Hey Herod – he will not him live!
Better go, will not let him live, better go, will not let him live!
Better go – oh – oh – oh
Go, go, go, go, go!

Oh, Mary Joseph, Mary Joseph!
Mary Joseph better go…to Egypt now
God his savior son who paid for me
for me, for me, for me!

So you think that it’s just a tale now days long by?
But this child who was born went to Calvary to die!

Oh, Jesus!
It’s the story of Jesus!
Wash our sins out!
Wash our sins right out of here!

Oooo, Jesus, Jesus
It’s a wondrous story, anyone can see.
Lets give God the glory!
It’s a wondrous story to me.

This is how God’s love shows!

Have youself a merry little Christmas - The Pretenders

2011-12-24T09:55:00.003+01:00

No doubt - my favourite "secular" Christmas song is "Have yourself a merry little Christmas". I love the tune - a little bit moody but tinge with hope.

The song was written for the movie Meet Me in St Loius and it was sung then by Judy Garland. Since then, many others have sung the song and gave it their own interpretation.

My fav version is the one i first heard when i was celebrating Christmas at Colchester - the 2nd time i was spending it away from home. So it was a time when i felt a little sad - but at the same time, it was wonderful to spend Christmas there with the few of my frens there. Modern technology made it possible that close ones back home were not very far away too. So the bittersweet feel that i get when i listen to this song really reflected things around me at that time.

Check out the original version of this song:-

I like Katie Melua's version too (can't embed so see it here).

Here are some other versions of the song:-

Diana Krall's live version - brilliant!

I came across this Tori Amos version today which is really good - almost as good as The Pretenders IMO!

This is from Junji Delfino during the recent ESG Jazz Fest - horrible pic quality but the sound is not too bad.

Finally, here is my fav version. Enjoy! And have yourself a merry little Christmas!

I'll stand by you* - The Pretenders

2011-12-22T10:08:00.003+01:00

I was never a fan of Suarez - you can read here what i thought about him back in the 2010 World Cup.

He made the news then - and now he's making the news again - being found guilty of racially abusing another player.

Now, let's make some things clear - i do not tolerate any form of racism. I am a big fan of Liverpool FC. I think that Suarez this season has been the best Liverpool FC player - and one of the best i've seen put on a LFC jersey for quite some time.

I am unhappy at the decision against him. You can read all about it - but the key thing to me is that he did not deny it. But he did not have any racist intent!

It would appear that it is a case of lost in translation - see what a regular BBC sport pundit (who is an expert on football in South America where Suarez is from) had to say about it here.

It would appear that Suarez is guilty of a strict liability offence - ie the offence was committed when he uttered certain words deemed to be racist, not caring whether he understood or knew what he was saying. Even Lord Ouseley, chairman of Kick it Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign, said it did not follow from the guilty verdict that Suarez was a racist. He said thatthe FA's decision had to be arrived at on the basis of the comments made.

But what i am happy to note is to see the support given to him by his team mates. They issued a statement supporting Suarez - and in a show of solidarity, they all wore t-shirts last nite showing that they will stand by him in this matter!

I want one of those t-shrits!!! =)

*One of their hits in the UK during my stay in London. Love this song!

All about you* - McFly

2011-12-20T03:53:00.004+01:00

It is quite sad that some leaders cannot seem to differentiate the interests of those whom they are leading and their own interests.

Obviously, these are not good leaders. Sure, sometimes, their interests being served is in the interest of those they are leading - but not necessarily so all the time. In fact, i dare add, most of the time.

But that's how it is. We see it everyday all over the world. Leaders of countries who should be keeping the interests of their countrymen instead think only of how they can make themselves richer and more powerful - while people in their own land are suffering from poverty and malnutrition.

Other leaders are more subtle - they make it look like the people they are leading are doing well so that they get the credit. At the end of the day, they are happy that they look good but do not count the cost that those under them had to pay.

The things that they do is all for themselves. It's all about them.

As we celebrate Christmas, i am reminded that Jesus is the best example of what a good leader is - he did not consider his position as God something to be clinged on to at any cost but made himself to be like us, born in a manger, lived as a man and then to die for all of us on the cross. This he did so that we can have our sins forgiven and we can have eternal life.

The things he did is all for you and for me. It's all about us.

*Their successful 1st single from their second album - which also contained "You've got a friend".

My father's house* - Bruce Springsteen

2011-12-19T03:30:00.003+01:00

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:4-7 (Emphasis added)

There are many rooms in my Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.
John 14:2-3 (Emphasis added)

My church elder was sharing this yesterday - when Jesus came to us, we told him there was no room for him. He had to be born in a manger.

But before Jesus went back, he told us that there are many rooms, for all of us.

I hope and pray that hearts will no longer have no room for him. Make room for him in your lives!

*Taken from his 6th studio album and covered by Emmylou Harris

Silent Night* - Bibiana and Francesca Peter

2011-12-17T17:41:00.003+01:00

This is an excerpt from our morning devotion which i thought was pretty good and i wanted to share it:-

Silence is indeed hard to find. Cities are notoriously noisy due to the high concentration of traffic and people. There seems to be no escape from loud music, loud machines, and loud voices. But the kind of noise that endangers our spiritual well-being is not the noise we can’t escape but the noise we invite into our lives. Some of us use noise as a way of shutting out loneliness: voices of TV and radio personalities give us the illusion of companionship. Some of use it as a way of shutting out our thoughts: other voices and opinion keep us from having to think for ourselves. Some of us make noise as a way of shutting out the voice of God: constant chatter, even when we’re talking about God, keeps us from hearing what God has to say.

But Jesus, even during his busiest times, made a point of seeking out places of solitude where he could carry on a conversation with God (Mark 1:35). Even if we can’t find a place that is perfectly quiet, we need to find a place to quiet our souls (Ps 131:2), a place where God has our full attention.

It was a good reminder of the need to spend some silent mornings - or nights, or whichever part of the day that is suitable for us - with God each day.

*I love this piano vocals version found on the “A Christmas Gift” album, an album by local artistes.

All that jazz* - Breathe

2011-12-15T08:29:00.000+01:00

It was free and it was at Empire Shopping Gallery. So why not? We decided to attend the ESG Jazz Festival 2011 on the 3rd December 2011. After all, we wre planning to celebrate our 3rd month of wedded bliss at Empire. So just drop by and watch for a while.

We did not regret it!!!!! It was simply wonderful!

The first performance for the nite was by Atilia. Who? Well, if u're familiar with the local jazz scene, you'll prolly not know her. Like us. But when she got onto the stage and started singing, we knew we would remember this girl from that day onwards!

She was really really good!!!! Her voice was so powerful and suitable for her jazz pieces. We even concluded that she was better than Ning Baizura. But that was a sad comparison. She (Arilia) not only sings in key, she sings well! So sad that she is not more popular than she is now.

We were planning to just listen for a while and then rush off to see some frens. But in the end, we stayed for her entire gig.

It also convinced us to go the next day to watch the other performances. We had dinner with me mom and sis so when we got there, it was almost the end of the first gig - Yudi Yap and the Shanghai Jazz.

But they prolly saved the best for last - the final performance that nite and for the Jazz fest was Junji Delfino and Michael Veerapan's quartet. So, so good!!!!! The musicians - the bassist and drummer along with Michael were pretty impressive. Junji was such a natural on stage and such wonderful vocals!!!!

Here, check out one of her numbers that nite (pic quality is bad but sound is quite alright):-

Junji is actually not Malaysian - but she is as Malaysian as we can get, living here for so many years. Atilia is Malaysian and so is Yudi. Michael Veerapan is Malaysian and so were most of teh musicians that nite too. This jazz fest restored my faith in the local jazz scene. If these performers were to be used as a gauge, i will say that our local jazz scene is in a very healthy state indeed!

*The title song of their debut album.

Yesterday once more* - The Carpenters

2011-12-14T11:12:00.003+01:00

We watched Arthur Christmas last week - and we absolutely loved it!!!!!! =)

I know, as a Christian and a leader in the church, i really shouldn't be promoting a movie about Santa Claus as Santa has been used (among others, Coca Cola) to distract people from the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus coming to this world for us!!!

Sure, i recognise that - and i still hold on to the fact that Santa is not real (there's a historical person known as Saint Nicholas whom Santa is prolly based on). But i can still enjoy a movie, can't i? =)

It's really good! Altho it's not Pixar, the quality of the animation is top notched. To me, anyways! Ever wondered how Santa can go all over the world in one night and deliver gifts to all the kids (only the nice ones)? Well, wonder no more! Arthur Christmas explains it. No, better still, it shows us how it's done! Very very impressive!!!!!

The movie also boasts of a wonderful cast - with Hugh Laurie and Bill Nighy! Both in outstanding form - their voices!!!

But what made me really love the movie was the story line. It has "HEART"! And this is the reason why a British animated movie about Christmas fared miles better than Speilberg & Jackson's Tintin.

I was moved by the movie - and yes, i judge movies by how much tears that i shed!!!

Most of all, it made me feel like a kid again. No, not just a kid but a kid on Christmas morning!!! I almost forgot how it feels like, the magic of staying up or waking up and opening the presents under the tree. It was yesterday once more, when i was a little kid again. You remember how that feels like?

If you dun, go watch this movie! =)

*One of their classics and one of my all time favourites!

Spain* - Return to Forever

2011-12-12T08:37:00.000+01:00

Yup, i went to Spain with the wife last month. A lot of people did not know about it until i posted up some autumn pics on FB. Well, we din really wanna tell everyone about it and publicise that our house will be empty for many days!!! =)

Further, it almsot din seem like the trip was gonna happen. That's another story. What matters now is that it did take place. And it was great!!!!!! =)

Here are the highlights of the trip:-

If you wanna read about the highlights of my trip, you can do so here.

*An instrumental jazz piece written and performed by Chick Corea together with his band back then. One of his more prominent piece! Good stuffs!

I'd give my life for you* - Lea Salonga

2011-12-11T16:25:00.001+01:00

Every time we have the tutorial for Defences, i raise the same issue with the students regarding the defence of duress.

You see, in English Criminal Law, one cannot use the defence of duress when it comes to murder ie if someone threatens to kill you unless you kill another person, you cannot say that you should be excused from the charge of murder simply because you had to save your own life.

The law seems to expect individuals to say that they rather die than to kill someone else.

The scenario i raise is what if one bad guy threatens to kill you unless you kill another bad guy? The person you are asked to kill is a terrible person - a serial murderer and rapist. Which person would say that he/she would rather die than to kill the other person? Basically, would you give your life to save another?

Well, if the person you are going to save is someone very important or good, you might just think about it, won't you? But if the person is the scum of the earth, surely no one would want to die for him/her!

Well, in the Bible, it says that Jesus did exactly that - gave him life not for good people but for his enemies.

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:7-8

Yes, as we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that Jesus was born to demonstrate his great love for us - by dying on the cross. Such amazing love!!!

*Taken from the musical of Miss Saigon

Made in Dagenham* - Sandie Shaw

2011-12-09T08:48:00.001+01:00

What got me attention initially was the reference to "Dagenham" - East London, which was my home for a bit in the early nineties.

But after reading more about it, we decided we wanted to watch it! A British show! With a very interesting premise!

We absolutely loved it!!!! The fact that the cinema issued same seats to multiple people did not spoil the nite for us. After all, not many people go and watch movies on the International Screens so there were plenty of seats for everyone.

I loved it cuz it was sooo... British! =) Hehe. But all in all, it did really well in every area. Good acting (Sallyt Hawkins, Bob Hoskins being as brilliant as ever, Miranda Richardson playing Barbara Castle wonderfully), funny, engaging, likeable characters that got you rooting for them and a very important message to tell.

Basically, it was set at a time when women earn much less than men - just solely on the ground that they are women!!!! That was that. It was how things were. Too bad. Just accept it.

But no. Not these women. They may not be be very cultured or educated - but they were skilled at what they did. And they knew what is right and and what is wrong. And most importantly, they dared to stand up for what is right and speak out against what was wrong - no matter what the cost.

It was so apt too that i watched this movie after having a session on gender equality for my human rights class that very day!

But dun take my word for it - here is a clip from BBC's resident movie critic talking about the movie. And i totally agree with what he said!

*The movie's theme song - performed by a former Dagenham Ford clerk

Miracle* - Whitney Houston

2011-12-08T00:53:00.000+01:00

So it's been three months since our wedding! The good thing about being married is... sometimes, housework is miraculously done on its own!!! Hehe :p

This was the status me wife put up recently.

Well, i know exactly how she feels!!! I experience the same too. The clothes are miraculously washed, they are miraculously ironed and folded too. The floors all get miraculously swept and mopped at times too. Lots of teh housework gets miraculously done too.

But this miracle is not a mystery! It's pretty straightforward. This miracle is none other than my wife herself! She is God's miracle to me.

*One of her big hits - not many people know that it is related to the issue of abortion.

I'd do anything* - Simple Plan

2011-12-07T04:19:00.003+01:00

Being deceitful in order to look good is pitiful. Asking others to be deceitful so that you'll look good is wrong. Being unhappy at those who did not want to be deceitful for you is sad.

That's what i posted on my FB status yesterday.

I found it really pitiful that people would do anything just to look good or to impress others - even if it involves deceit. Is it so important that you would want to obtain the approval and/or praise from others by deceiving them? If you are good then people will acknowledge it. If you are impressive, then people will praise you. But if you're not, how low would you sink to obtain acknowledgement and praise that you did not deserve?

How can you sleep at nite? But the scary thing is that some of these people sleep very well! They are pleased that their deceit worked and they appeared good in the eyes of others.

What's even worse is when they ask other people to participate in the deceit. Or perpetrate the deceit!!! That is wrong. If you want to sink low, that is pitiful - but it is wrong to ask others to do the same. All the more when you have undue influence over them.

What is really sad is that these people get angry when others did not take part in their deceit. No, i applaud them for not wanting to be part of a scheme to obtain praise and approval that is not due.

I really feel bad for these people cuz they live in a world where the approval from others is so important - no, even essential to them that they'd do anything to get it even if it means getting it by deceitful means. And when such undue approval is received, they dun feel bad about it at all.

Such people will always live their lives trying to win the approval of others - at any cost. i can't imagine what kind of life that would be.

*Their second single from their debut album. It was also featured in the movie, "The Hot Chick".

If you wanna be happy* - Jimmy Soul

2011-12-02T12:55:00.000+01:00

Happiness - is something everyone searches for. Some are sure they'll find it once they've moved back home. Some think they'll find it by making a new friend. Some hope to find it once they've defeated the competition. Then there are those who stop searching for happiness because they look up one day to discover it right in front of them all the time.

Mary Alice, Desperate Housewives S07E03

Let's learn to count our blessings and give thanks to God for everything!

*A no. 1 hit way back in 1963 and more recently featured in the wonderful soundtrack of My Best Friend's Wedding.

Heart attack* - Olivia Newton-John

2011-12-01T10:02:00.002+01:00

It is not surprising when i read about football managers suffering from heart conditions. Harry Redknapp recently underwent a heart op. Former Liverpool manager Houllier suffered a heart attack during a game way back in 2001.

Why is it not surprising? Well, i almost had one the other night - watching the Liverpool Manchester City match!!!

One of the "heart-attack" moments - Silva rounding Reina but only to find not one, not two but THREE Liverpool players stading at the goal line! It was also quite amusing to see them lining up behind their goalie to protect the goal!

It was pretty good stuffs!!!!! Fast-paced, lots of actions, show of skill. It came to a point when i could not watch it sitting down!!!! There were many moments - to the amusement of me wife - that i was screaming and jumping and rolling on the ground in frustration or relief!!!

I even thought that i felt feverish due to the excitement! I felt flushed!

Why always him? Well, thankfully, he made the headlines not for scoring!!!

In the end, i was truly disappointed. City came to a point when they were contented to just sit back and let their goalie save the ball - and the team, again and again and again. I guess i shud be pleased that we managed to limit City to just one goal - and that too from a set piece. Unlike their average of 3 or 4 goals per match!!!

Still, we shud have won. Sigh... But it could have been worse - we could have lost too. And i could have had a cardiac arrest!!!

*The first track from her Greatest Hits Vol 2 album - not one of her very well known songs.

Too much* - Spice Girls

2011-11-26T03:28:00.001+01:00

Found this in my draft posts. I love this quote/prayer. So simple and so true. Too much of anything is never good. Give me just enough.

Give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9

*Their second consecutive Christmas no. 1 single, way back in 1997!

Autumn leaves* - Eric Clapton

2011-11-24T14:54:00.000+01:00

One of the main highlights of my recent trip to Madrid was being able to experience autumn again!!! =)

Without a doubt, autumn is my fav season - i think it is the most beautiful time of the year. I absolutely love the leaves, all green, brown, and orange - and red, even! So lovely!!!!

As i was there, i realised that the last time i experienced autumn was in 2006!!!! Altho i've been back to the UK many times since then (and even to NZ and other countries which have autumn seasons), i've never been there during autumn itself!

It was indeed a most pleasant surprise - back in the UK, autumn would have been long over at this time of the year. So i assumed it would hv been the same in Spain - but i was wrong!

The best thing about it was that i was able to experience autumn together with my wife!!! =) I suppose it was really nice as it was totally unexpected. Dunno when i'll ever get to experience autumn again...

*This was his version of a popular jazz standard originally written in French.

Life is beautiful* - Vega 4

2011-11-23T04:39:00.005+01:00

Winner of the Best Foreign Film at the 1999 Oscars, i've always wanted to catch the movie. But never did - until last week!

And i was glad i did. It lived up to all the hype and praise!

I have to confess tho that i opted to watch it in English... =( Well, i was on a plane and it was well pass my bedtime - i din think i'd be able to last thru the movie reading the subtitles.

Some may say that this is a comedy - others can say it is a movie about the concentration camps during WWII. But to me, this is a movie about life! And the first part showed how Guido, the lead character lived his life to the fullest - and he had everything! But in the second half, after being deprived of his freedom, having his wife separated from him and facing inhumane treatment and threat of death daily, he still show how life can still be beautiful!

I guess it is a good reminder that circumstances around us do not need to shape how we feel about our life - and that real joy can be experienced even in the darkest moments.

Wonderful movie!

Thoroughly deserved the Oscar! And Roberto Benigni? The man deserves his Oscar for Best Actor too - beating the likes of Ian McKellen and Tom Hanks!!! But i think he was just playing himself! If you have seen him during the Oscars (see here - can't embed it), he is just like Guido in the movie!

*This song by a British rock band has been featured in many TV shows like Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill, Ghost Whisperer etc.

Part-time lover* - Stevie Wonder

2011-11-08T04:23:00.000+01:00

What got our attention was her high pitched Mickey Mouse voice. It was kinda irritating – but not so bad. Not yet. We knew that longer exposure to it will surely drive us suicidal – or worse.

I wondered about her husband – how he puts up with it! Day in, day out… But then again, to each his own. He must really love her – and probably finds her chipmunk voice cute. Or even sexy!!!!!

And as we ate our dinner in the table next to them, it was pretty clear that he was utterly smitten by her! It was pretty nice to see that. There they were, married with a kid – at least one since he had a big bag of newly bought diapers with him – and yet, still acting like they were dating.

But as the dinner went on, something just wasn’t right. I could not put my finger on it and TW told me later she felt the same. But we were there for our dinner so we just let it pass…until the “husband” got up and left. So fine – he went over to settle the bill. But no. He did not return. He just left with his big bag of newly bought diapers!!! After a while, the lady got her stuffs together and left also.

Then it all clicked together!!! That explains why she was so flirty with him. That explains why he was asking her questions which he should have known as her “husband”. That explains why they were acting like they were on a date. They WERE!!!!!

We just felt so disgusted with them after that. Well, you may think we were being self-righteous – but we feel very strongly about the sanctity of marriage! The man prolly had a wife back home with his child. And he went off to buy diapers like a responsible father. And he did. But he took the opportunity to have a secret rendezvous with another woman!!!! And the woman surely knew that the man was married – all of us saw he was carrying the pack of diapers!

Well, it din spoil our nite – but for a moment, we felt very sad for the wife back home. It was an eye-opener for us. Sure, we have heard of people being unfaithful all the time – and we are not surprised by it. But to have it happening right next to us? That made it so real. Reading and talking about it is one thing. Seeing it played “live” before you is another!!!

Anyways…I did try to justify the situation for the guy. Perhaps the wife knew about it. Perhaps the lady was the sister of the wife? Perhaps… but the more I tried, the more I realized how unlikely it is. Based on their mannerisms and the conversations, it was surely not a platonic relationship!

But having said that, as I’m blogging about this now, I thought of a possible perfectly good explanation – maybe the guy was a widower and/or a single parent. Surely then he has the right to go and meet other women. Well, I hope that is the case – if not, then I feel really sorry for the wife and child for whom the diapers were for.

*Hit the no. 1 spot in 4 different Billboard charts back in the mid-80s!

Feels so good* - Chuck Mangione

2011-11-02T04:20:00.000+01:00

But for most of us, nothing is quite so therapeutic as a good long talk with a few old friends.

Mary Alice, Desperate Housewives s06e13

We have many wonderful memories of our wedding – and we truly thank God for it. And one of the memories was what took place the day after. We arranged to meet up with my ex-UEL mates to catch up.

We were late, tho. Took us a while to leave our nice hotel room. And by the time we got there, everyone had finished or were finishing their meal. After we were “kicked” out of the restaurant (they had to prepare the place for dinner), we stood outside for quite some time, refusing to leave, still lingering on, not wanting the time to end. Especially for TW and me, since we missed most of the catching up (they even went out for karaoke the nite before – and I had to turn down their offer for obvious reasons).

Finally, Ling really had to go as he was driving back to JB. That left Augustine and wife, Stephan and us. I suggested we go for a drink and we did.

It was such a wonderful time! We just went into a bar nearby, ordered our beer and talked. And talked. And talked. And laughed a lot too!!! We talked all the way and thru dinner time. In fact, Ling probably reached home way before we left the bar!

It was so good to catch up with them again. For it had been a really long long time since we had such an opportunity. But like true old frens, each time we get together, the years in between the time we last met just seemed to melt away and there we were, just as if we were students again and not having parted ways at all.

And the best thing about it – TW who hardly knew them at all except for whatever I have told her about them just fit in so well! She wasn’t just there, sitting quietly listening to us. She was in the conversation too. =) She felt so comfortable with them and they just treated her like they have known her as long as they have known me.

Can’t wait for the next opportunity! =)

*An instrumental piece which lasts 10 minutes! Brilliant stuffs.

I'm so excited* - Pointer Sisters

2011-11-01T00:10:00.000+01:00

It's coming to 2 months edi. But to be honest, the entire proceedings on that day still seem surreal to me! Maybe it's cuz i haven't seen the official photos yet.

But i remember it to be real. Especially the days leading up to it! Stressful, yes, but also very exciting! And one of the wonderful memories i have was that a lot of my frens were excited as well! It was quite amusing but at the same time, heart-warming, that our big event was important to not just ourselves but to our frens as well. Reading their messages and seeing their comments on FB was really nice!

We thank God everything went well and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves! We did!

*Considered to be one of their signature songs.

It's probably me* - Sting

2011-10-24T17:13:00.005+01:00

Haha - this guy is funny!!!!

Six - One!!!! A night to remember!!!! Or to forget!

Just disgusted at how the United defenders seem to just give up close to the end. That is so not United!!! Wished i could have been present at the dressing room after the game...

*Taken from the soundtrack of Lethal Weapon 3.

Perfect* - Simple Plan

2011-09-01T01:48:00.004+01:00

We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.
~Anonymous~

I'm blessed that someone saw thru my imperfectness and chose to love me.

I just found out that the acoustic version of this song was featured in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

Home* - Michael Bublé

2011-08-31T06:47:00.002+01:00

This is my country. This is my home. Happy 54th year of independance!!!!

This is really really brilliant!

*One of his best known songs.

Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday* - Boney M

2011-08-30T04:34:00.005+01:00

The long holidays have started! I made the big mistake in deciding to go into a Malay area on the beginning of the holidays - last Saturday.

It was jammed packed!!!!

People and cars alike, it was almost like Boxing Day sale madness all over again (see here) - there were human traffic controllers inside the shopping mall!!!

People were taking advantage of the weekend before the Eid celebrations to do their shopping - i had to go there for a final fitting before my big day!

Still, despite the madness of it all, spirits were not dampened - it was after all the start of a long holiday! And for me, it's really really long!!!! =) (altho i'll be back in office some time this week to sort out some stuffs before a much deserved break!).

*Their hit in the late 70s - yes, i still remember singing to it back then! The tune is adapted from a nursery rhyme - Polly Wolly Doodle!!!

Anything but ordinary* - Avril Lavigne

2011-08-28T09:05:00.003+01:00

London, Reading, Avillion PD, Rajes, Ho Chi Minh City, Dining, field trips, Joseph, moot, judge, Sunitha, appearing on newspaper, LawAsia, Palace of Justice, Programme Director, Human Rights, Taj Mahal, Law Ball, KLIA, TV appearance, Lakeside Campus, Thaatch, Jessup, Champion, Runners-Up, Kajang Prison, Family Law, Markus, carpark problems, ducks, Moot Administrator, banner...

It has been a very happening and most unforgettable 4 years! Praise God for bringing me thru.

*Taken from her brilliant debut album, Let Go.

Drive* - R.E.M.

2011-08-26T03:38:00.006+01:00

I got me license to drive!!!! All over the world! =)

Din take me that long to get - altho i almost decided to procrastinate doing it. Thank God i listened to tGiF's advice and waited.

*Lead single and first track of their 8th album. Did not do too well in the US but was a big hit in the UK!

A better man* - Robbie Williams

2011-08-25T03:16:00.003+01:00

As we shared prayer items, i was glad when someone said that they he is not asking for a stress-free week!!!

After all, stress is good - dun u think so? Of course too much of stress can be bad - and it can break a person as well as families. But a stress-free life IMHO may not be a good thing.

If we get too comfortable, we tend to become complacent. We were talking about the DUMC incident and a fren was sharing that the members there are all getting close together and praying more. I jokingly said that perhaps what we need is some persecution so that our members would all "wake-up"!

At the end of the day, we will be forced to improve when "stress" comes in - looking back, stressful times has really molded me and helped me develope patience, humility, strength and taught me dependance on God. People can share also that in difficult times, families draw closer together. It is only when times are dark that light can shine the brightest!

In the book of James, it is written:-

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

*One of my favourite songs of his!

If I ever lose my faith in you* - Sting

2011-08-24T02:29:00.004+01:00

I was out jogging when this 'auntie' (older lady) was jogging in the opposite direction and heading towards me. I did not give much though about her until she came close. As she passed me, she said "Good morning"!

=)

After being frustrated with those who work in the same place as me, who see me almost everyday but yet do not bother to acknowledge me but instead look away (see here), this total stranger renewed my faith in people here! It reminded me of those days back in London when strangers used to greet me in the parks.

*One of his classics which has been remade by many people.

For the first time* - Kenny Loggins

2011-08-23T02:58:00.004+01:00

This post commemorates LFC's first win of this season!!!

The night started with some pizzas.

Then the match! Together with tGiF, my brother and my nephew. As usual, watching LFC play is a frustrating process - and tGiF was feeling it. My nephew too. Welcome to the real world of LFC.

We all had the wonderful experience of watching LFC play live locally here last month. There were 9 goals altogether! It was a great match to watch and the atmosphere was simple awesome!!! On top of that, as LFC were playing Malaysia, all the spectators were winners - whichever team scored, we celebrated like crazy!!!!

But i had warned tGiF that in the real world of the EPL, it will not be as entertaining to her as the live match was. Sure enuf, the first match against Sunderland on the 13th was a frustrating experience.

Thankfully, last weekend's match was not as bad.

To me, the signs were good - especially seeing Kenny Dalglish put on his rain coat at the start of the 2nd half. All of us were wondering why he was doing that as it was summer and surely it wasn't that cold. Shortly after that, we realised why - it started to rain. Only after that did Dalglish's counterpart, Arsene Wenger put on his rain coat.

This simple observation which was prolly missed by most people showed me on thing - Dalglish was one who looks ahead and prepares himself. Wenger reacts. Harsh conclusion? You would think so if you're an Arsenal fan.

Anyways, Dalglish finally put in Suarez who was involved in both LFC's goal - scoring the 2nd one. The celebrations in my house was rapturous!!! =)

But eventually, both my nephew and tGiF will have to experience the pain of losing - but tt's part and parcel of being a LFC fan!

*This version was used in the movie One fine day.

Story of my life* - Bon Jovi

2011-08-20T09:24:00.004+01:00

A student wrote this on the fb wall of another:-

"planet of the apes" soon ok! or "horribble bosses"..i heard its also good...

For a moment, i thought she was referring to my life at work!!!!

*Taken from their Have a nice day album.

Look away* - Chicago

2011-08-19T03:08:00.006+01:00

I'm just so mad!!!!

It may seem to be a small thing but perhaps this is the straw that breaks the camel back!

The staff room i'm in is not that big. We've all been here, some for almost 20 months! We all know each other here - even if you just joined recently.

The corridors are not that wide - there is hardly a gap of 6 inches when we walk pass each other.

What irks me is that these people (no, not the Law School lecturers, of course) can just walk pass me and look away!

Is it so hard to say "hi", or "good morning"? Fine, even if you dun want to say anything, will it cost you so much to just smile? Or even look at me and give a formal nod???

I feel like an idiot, looking at them with a wide smile and they just look away and pretend i'm not here.

Sure, i'm not a white guy - but that just shows how shallow certain lecturers can be - they'll be so frenly with my expat fren but totally ignore me cuz i am a Malaysian!

Is it any surprise that their students are some of the worst mannered ones on campus?

Pathetic!

But i'm not gonna let them win - i'm gonna be even more proactive, perhaps even standing in their just to stop them so that i can greet them. But is this gonna be worth the effort? Sigh...

ADDENDUM

I checked with my expat colleague and i stand corrected. He tells me he experiences the same too, people just looking away. Sad-eh?

*Quite different from their other hits - lead vovals was Champlin, not Cetera, and it did not feature much horns. Still, one of my fav Chicago songs as it was a hit during my form 6 days.

Nothing lasts forever* - Maroon 5

2011-08-18T05:39:00.004+01:00

Further from my previous post earlier (see here), i read a verse this morning which echoes some of the sentiments voiced there - and it came from the wisest man ever lived.

I have seen something else under the sun:

The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

So i may have the best team in the competition but that does not mean i'll win. Similarly, winning the competition does not necessarily mean that we were the best team!

But what was Solomon trying to say? Well, i submit that he is basically telling us that the things we achieve in this world are not important. After all, they are all temporal in nature - nothing this world offers lasts forever. What is important are the things that we do which will last for eternity.

And he confirms this in his penultimate verse from this book:-

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments.

*Track 6 from their 2nd studio album.

Why don't you write me* - Simon & Garfunkel

2011-08-17T05:30:00.005+01:00

And I've been keeping all the letters
that I wrote to you,
Each one a line or two
I'm fine baby, how are you?
I would send them but I know that it's just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that

Michael Bublé, Alan Chang, Amy Foster-Gillies

As i was singing the above song the other day, i started thinking of the days when we used to write letters to each other. Letter writing is such a lost art these days.

But it was such a wonderful thing back then. We used to go and look for nice letter pads (do such things still exist). Or the cheapers ones will seek to buy aerogrammes. Dun knwo what is it? Google it!

I remember those days long ago when i would specially set aside time and sit down to write, pages after pages. Using all kinds of paper that i could find - even using the tray papers from McDonald's or Coffee Bean.

Letter writing can be done anywhere! I remember a letter i wrote in the laundry room at Marley Hall while waiting for the laundry to get done.

There is this freedom one has when writing - not confined to the four corners of an email these days. One can write, scribble, draw, glue - and attachments are real things literally attached to the letter.

Once the letter has been composed, it is not the end of the creativity! One then can choose how to fold the letter - and then choose the type of envelope and address it artistically, even leaving small notes on the envelope, sometimes to the postman!

Then off ot the post office to queue up for the stamps! Finally dropping it into the post box, leaving it entirely by faith in the hands of the postman, that soon, it'll be dropped into a letter box, sometimes half way across the world, bringing warm greetings printed on a nice coloured (and sometimes scented) letter paper.

On the other end, receiving mail is one of the greatest joys of student life. Going to the post room is so fun - filled with the anticipation and hope, which culminates in great joy or bitter disappointment. Looking out of the window of yr house as the postman approaches, hearing the "clunk" of the metal letter slot of the front door indicating that letters have been pushed into the house... =)

Why dun we write anymore? Sure, we have e-mails these days. Text messages. But sending a letter seems more meaningful at times. Why? Well, it's perhaps because of the trouble it takes to do so - and the receipients realises that they mean something when the sender actually took the time to send them a letter. reading one's handwriting is so much more nicer than reading words off a PC screen, no matter what nice font you use.

One of the nicest letter writing stories i've heard was a colleague of mine who told us that just before he left to the UK to finish his studies, he hooked up with a girl here in Malaysia. While he was away, she wrote to him EVERYDAY!!!!!! Ok, altogether now - Awwwwwww..... how sweet! =)

*Taken from Side B of their 5th and final studio album.

Some guys have all the luck* - Rod Stewart

2011-08-16T10:22:00.004+01:00

Manchester United was the only big team to win last weekend in the opening weekend of the EPL season. They won thru this goal:-

Yes, it was not just a deflected goal - it was a DOUBLE deflection!!!! How "lucky" can they be??? But this seems to be their story - well, not all the time, tho but a lot of the times. They always seem to get the best of luck.

Still, i know that in football, teams do "make" their own luck. Credit must be given to them and it looks like they will win the premier league again this season.

But while some people seems to have the good luck all the time, others seem to have bad luck all the time!!!

Maybe it's me! I'm the "curse". But i'm referring to the Law School's moot teams.

I've always refused to believe in the concept of "luck". You are either good or you're not. But since taking part in moot competitions, i've realised that luck plays a HUGE role in determining the outcome.

Take for instance, your team ends up in a group which consists of the competition whipping boys (the team that everyone beats) and another team which failed to turn up. Surely then topping the group is a foregone conclusion!

Or how about your team having to face a judge who fell asleep during the competition? When threatened, the judge decides to give more marks to your team - so what turned out to be bad luck initially became good later!

I've grown to accept it a lot - after all, it happens in any sport. In the prelims, if you end up in a "Group of Death", your chances to progress will be slim.

But in the recent competition, we were again the victims of cruel luck! There were more new judges taking part and these people think it fit to award mooters marks like 98% and 99%!!!! Ridiculous!!!! That is close to perfection!!!!!

We're not talking about maths where if you get the answer correct, you will get the full marks! Even in law exams, getting a 70% is considered exceptionally good!

So it was really painful in the recent competition when 2 of our teams won all their moots easily. They were unbeaten. Unfortunately, there were other teams which also won all their moots - so to decide who to proceed, the individual marks were used.

Unfortunately for us, although the judges sang the praises of our mooters, they were pretty conservative in their scoring - and rightfully so. We had the opportunity to moot before experience judges. However, the other teams had the luck to moot before judges who had no qualms to award maximum points on almost all categories - so naturally, the marks they acquire clearly were more than the marks we did.

We never got the chance to moot against them so we never really knew how good they were. However, i must say that my mooters were really really good. Even a judge of a well known international moot competition thought one of my teams were among the best he has ever seen.

But that's how it is.

Last year, we missed out by half a mark. This year, we missed out despite winning all our moots and doing well. I felt so bad for my mooters. They of course were not too thrilled!

But thankfully, they recovered from it faster than i did.

A good lesson in life, tho. In future, they will experience many situations when they have an airtight case and they submit it perfectly - but at the end of the day, it all depends on their luck of who will be their judge they are appearing before.

C'est la vie.

*A hit for him back in 1984

Enjoy yourself (It's later than you think)* - Doris Day

2011-08-15T05:15:00.004+01:00

Sometimes we get too caught up with the demands of life - that we just forget the simple and important things in life. We forget to live! And enjoy.

Jesus said that he came that we may have life - and have it to the full (John 10:10).

So let us all learn to enjoy - no, i'm not saying that we become irresposible and frivolous. But even in what we have to do, we can learn to enjoy it!

Here's a brilliant clip of a wonderful legand (if i may call her that) - i like this recording cuz it has the "old" sound to it, like we're listening to an old radio. =) Enjoy!

*One of the many versions of this popular song in the early 50s. I just found out that the refrain was used in the HK "Enjoy Yourself Tonight" variety show! No wonder it sounded so familiar!!!

Let's have lunch* - Cast of Sunset Boulevard

2011-08-12T16:51:00.004+01:00

Last week, i decided to have lunch with my colleague for a change. After all, term has ended, office hours were a little bit more relaxed.

We sat right at the end of the food court - it was wonderful!!! The breeze was blowing constantly, the weather was lovely, we chatted about our lives and made plans for a possible future visit to Paris while enjoying the view of the lake.

And we saw them - ducks!!! And geese! I dun know why i was so thrilled to see them! Maybe it brings back memories of the lakes in the UK when i was studying there - be it on campus or in the lovely parks there. There would always be ducks and geese swimming around.

The next day, we sat right next to the lake - this time it was a bit warmer but still nice. Like a summer day.

I think i'm beginning to enjoy having lunch on campus - not just eating my own packed lunch in my cubicle bout outside, enjoying the fresh air and seeing life pass by. So much so that altho i was the only one around late this morning, i decided to go out for a brunch on my own.

Sitting there by the lakeside, reading, listening to Michael Buble and just enjoying the scenery... Nice!

Little pleasures in life are not underrated! =)

*The first song of the musical where we were brought to the movie studio - i loved it as it captures very well the busy-ness of life there.

So far away* - Dire Straits

2011-08-01T16:16:00.004+01:00

More than a year ago, i posted this up on this blog, complaining how far i had to park my car. Here's the picture from that post.

Well, things have gotten worse!!!! Today, i had to park my car so much further away, you couldn't even see the spot from the photo above!!!

Still, i din mind. I saved RM3!!!! Hehe. That's quite a lot edi!!!! You can buy something from the Dollar Shop in the US!!!! =)

*The first track from their brilliant Brothers in Arms album!

God save the Queen* - Queen

2011-07-15T11:22:00.004+01:00

A picture is worth a thousand words! What does this say to you?

My fren said "British humour?"

*Featured on what some regard as their best album ever, A Night At The Opera.

Absence of fear* - Jewel

2011-07-13T14:16:00.003+01:00

They thought that the only way to deter us was to instill fear in us. They use threats and force against us. They tried to frighten us but it only made us more fearless - they must hate to admit it but their tactics backfired.

They carried out their threats - but this only served to embolden us. They used the media to make it loud and clear that they will do watever it takes - even violate human rights and break the law. This resulted in waking up those who slumbered and push aside those who were sitting on the fence.

It was like a scene from a zombie horror movie on the morning of 9th July 2011 in Kuala Lumpur. Streets were deserted, roads were barricaded, helecoptor hovering above, emegency services on standby.

Yet, when the time came, Malaysians rose up - Malays, Chinese, Indians, young, old, handicapped, whole, they all came forth and stood their ground.

The bullies lost. They did not know what to do - after all, they are not paid to think, just to carried out the brute force. Yet, the people in yellow did retaliate alike - i even read how some of them shook the hands of these policemen when the day was over and the objectives achieved.

The people in the government must really be afraid now - what can they do to stop us from fighting for equality and fairness? What can they do to carry on their corruption and abuse of power? They must be thankful for the selfish short-sighted people who complained about the inconveniences suffered, who feel that we are doing alright and we should nto complain but just to submit quietly as we have done for more than half a century, who are enjoying life and do not want to move out of their comfort zone.

But the message has been made loud and clear. We will not be pushed around and frightened by strong-handed tactics anymore. This is because we have something worth fighting for - and nothing they can do can change that.

We are not afraid.

They should be.

(All pics taken from Al Jazeera website)

*One of my fav song of hers found in her 3rd album which i feel is her best ever!

Ironic* - Alanis Morissette

2011-07-12T12:37:00.005+01:00

Don't be too hard on Najib. After looking at all the photos online, i must say that as a result of how he handled the Bersih rally last weekend, he is arguably the most successful PM in uniting the various races of Malaysia - even if he did not mean to do that.

Pics taken from various sources online

For the first time in my (long) life, i actually see some hope for unity among different races in our country.

Well done, Mr Prime Minister! But you still have to go - sooner rather than later.

*Her classic song, still sounds so good!

That's not it* - Jasmine Solano

2011-07-09T18:43:00.008+01:00

I remember the last time Bersih had a rally, there was this person who complained about it - cuz it caused him to be late for the musical, The Phantom of the Opera.

This time round, i read from Facebook a friend (yes, she is a friend on FB) complaining about the Bersih planned rally cuz she could not go into town without a massive traffic jam to do retail therapy!!!

Well, everyone has the right to express their view but IMHO i think they kind missed the point here. What Bersih is doing is surely more important than a musical ( a really one at that) or traffic free roads or shopping.

Let us remind ourselves of the objectives of Bersih. They are calling for inter alia an overhaul of voter registration lists, tougher measures to curb fraud and fairer opportunities for opposition politicians to campaign in government-linked media. They are not even calling for the overthrow of the present government. If the next government is elected fairly and cleanly, then well and good - doesn't matter which party is the one that wins.

But the response of the government has convinced a lot of people today that they are not fit to take charge. Even things like human rights have all be thrown out of the window (see here).

The following two pics are taken from Facebook - of this elderly lady who should be an example to us all - coming out to stand up for what she believes in for the sake of the younger generation.

But the response to her offer of flowers was to be drenched by the water cannons.

There is another fren who said that he will not vote for them - simply for causing the massive traffic jams and inconvenience. Well and good too! But i hope also that they do not get the votes not just for that. There are bigger matters here, more serious and long term issues.

p/s - this post is not meant to condemn those frens who expressed their feelings on fb. They have the right to do so - as i have the right to voice mine here too.

p/p/s - except for the last 2, the pics are obtained from Al Jazeera.

*Her debut single.

Drifting apart* - Alien Ant Farm

2011-07-05T13:13:00.008+01:00

We had a time of sharing last Friday during our cell group meeting as i thought it'd be good to do so since we have just finished the first half of the year. Always good to pause and reflect, esp since life seems to go by so fast these days.

One of the things shared was the regret of neglecting people around us - we tend to get so busy these days, and at times, there just dun seem to be enough time to do what we want to do. We'll be happy if we can just finish doing what we need to do.

I agreed with the sharing and confessed the same too.

2 incidents today even drove the point further home.

First, i was at the airport today - and i suddenly recalled the time when i had to leave to the UK to do my Masters. As i took the escalator down and walked towards the passport checking terminals, i could hear my nephew shouting loudly at the top of his voice "BYE BYE SOOK SOOK", again and again.

It was such a bittersweet moment for me back then - i was so touched by his gesture and at the same time, it broke my heart.

As i thought about it today, i realised that since i got back, i have not been as close to him as i used to be... =(

Secondly, i received an e-mail just now from an old fren who is overseas now. It was also bittersweet - because i have not heard from her for so so long. And while it was great to finally hear from her again, it was unfortunately not good news as she wrote to tell me that she will not be able to make it for my wedding.

I remembered again the time when we used to be pretty close. It was also before me going off to do my Masters. She had promised back then that she will sing for me during my wedding.

Even when i was away in the UK, we had kept in touch! Her text messages and snail mail (yes, she was prolly the only one who snailed me a few times) were always something which brightens up my day! In fact, i wrote one post just talking about her text messages (see here). When my father passed away, her text message to me was one of the few things that kept me strong.

It hurts me now that we have drifted so far apart.

We shared a lot cuz she was one of the few faithful followers of my blog - so she kept in touch with what was happening to me. Wonder if she still comes here to visit anymore...

Drifting apart need not necessarily be bad. Sometimes, it just happens. Life takes us on different paths and new people come into our lives - sometimes pushing out older frens.

At least for my nephew, i know that it is not too late and i can still try to be close to him, all the more as he enters into his teenage life soon. For my fren i mentioned above... i dun know. Our paths seem to go further and further apart. Maybe i can still try to keep in touch... but like a tango, it takes two to make it work. At the moment, there dun seem to be 'one', let alone 'two'!!!

But i'm certain that if in God's great scheme of things our paths meet again, we shall be good frens again. If not? Then we can be thankful for the frenship we had - we will spend eternity with God in heaven anyways!

*Featured on the MLB 2005 video game.

For the first time* - Kenny Loggins

2011-07-03T17:33:00.004+01:00

The new World no. 1 in tennis has just won the wimbledon title - for the first time in his life. And surely, it can't be the last time!!!

Congratulations, Djokovic!!!!!!!

I've been a big fan of his - he has always entertained me, with his antics and fooling around, and now, with his wonderful tennis! I was rooting for him to win the finals! This may not be a popular view - but while i think Nadal is a wonderful player, i personally dun like the way he plays. Nadal is effective - and i daresay to a certain extent, he wins "ugly". He just wears down his opponent until they run out of ideas while he just keeps going on and on and on - and eventually winning the point! No doubt he deserves all his successes.

But i watch tennis to be entertained. The purist may scoff at me - it is indeed entertaining to watch Nadal go like a machine and bulldoze his way thru. Just like in football - i admit that it can be entertaining to watch teams win albeit "ugly". It takes great skill and discipline.

But for tennis, i wanna watch flair. I wanna see style. I wanna be surprised. I want to be entertained. That's why my favourite woman tennis player of all time is Martina Hingis (altho i'm a big fan of Steffi Graf). Her strokes are like a work of art!!! So beautiful, so graceful and so effective. And no surprise that my fav man tennis player is Martina's fellow Swiss, Federer.

I've been so busy that i have unfortunately missed most of the matches in this year's Wimbledon. The only match i watched was Nadal-Murray. I fell asleep. Watching 2 men slugging it out from the baseline can be a cure for insomia. For me!

Whereas in the other semis, Djolovic and Tsonga were flying all over the court (literally) and sending the crowd onto their feet!

So i was glad that Nadal did not beat Djokovic down into submission. In fact, Djokovic took the initiative and change things around a lot!

It is also good for the game that Djokovic is now in the reckoning - not just a two horse race between Ndal and Federer 9which was getting a tad predictable edi). I look forward to more exciting tennis in the future!

Oh, i'm also glad that in the women's singles game, another winner was crowned - for the first time too! Well done Petra!

Still, if Li Na put away that match point in the second round match, i think she would have added this to her French Open victory. Ah well... should have been, could've been...

Now for COPA America - beofre the EPL resumes! =)

*Found on the soundtrack of One Fine Day.

Children of the night* - Richard Marx

2011-07-02T09:39:00.005+01:00

Alien movie! Alien movie set in London!!! A definite must-watch for me!!!! So off we went, after a very nice dinner at my "brother's restaurant" in Ipoh.

I loved it! It is so British!!!! (some dude - must be American - on IMDB said he stopped watching after a few minutes cuz he couldn't bear their accents!!!). And altho i was never a South London person (east-end boy i am), it was so nice to be transported back to London - even if it is the lessor known parts.

The quick review - good acting from the newbies, exciting, thrilling and funny too!

But i wanna talk a bit more about the movie - cuz it is more than just a typical alien invasion movie! You see, the main characters - can we call them the heroes? - were actually a bunch of teenagers who were foul-mouthed and goes around robbing and mugging people, picking on seemingly weaker victims.

To be honest, i din like them at all - and was a little dismayed when i realised that they were to be the main characters of the movie. How can i like a movie when i dun like the main characters? Yet, as the movie went on, more is revealed about these kids. No, they are still the rowdy gangsters - but there is more to them than that.

I've lived at the East End before, and i've visited the south too a few times. To be honest, it can be a little scary going down there. It is definitely not a place i'll be taking me mates and family if we go back to London!!! You'll see the hoodies there, and i would have felt most unsecured if i meself weren't an immigrant - and prolly looked just as scary too! Lol!

This movie however takes us deeper into their lives. You see the surroundings they are in, you see the conditions they live in, their family life (or lack of it) - and while i cannot condone what they do, i must admit that i sympatise with them.

If i were to grow up in such an area, i would prolly end up like them. How many teens there will grow up to be someone "respectful" in the eyes of the general public? If they do, it would prolly mean they left the area and moved to Kensington or Chelsea.

But in the south of London, we see the kids running around at night, unsupervised. We see a lack of role models - so the children look up to these muggers. We see that a sense of accomplishment, of moving up in life, is when the resident drug dealer gives you some stash to sell on the streets! We understand to a certain extent why the young people grow up with a hatred towards the authorities. After all, they feel neglected, sidelined, discriminated.

In a light-hearted scene, a nurse tells one of these teens about her boyfriend who is a volunteer nurse helping children in Africa - and the teen asks - honestly, i'm sure - why does he have to go all the way to Africa? Are there not children here who needs help too?

Witty - but it struck a chord. It is true to a certain extent, isn't it?

I feel so sad for these children - this is the life they have. If i was fatalistic, i would say that fate had dealt then an unfortunate start in their lives. And i am so thankful for the good influence and the opportunities available for me since young.

It was heartening tho to see that despite what they do, they have a great sense of loyalty to each other, responsibility and courage - more than others who may think they are better people!

But what can we do to help them? I really dun know. When i studied criminology last time, we considered if growing up in such an environment will result in them being criminals. It would probably be the result - although not necessarily so. Perhaps giving them education, showing them love, giving them opportunities, etc, all these may help? Who do we blame? The parents for neglecting their children and thus perpetuating a vicious circle where they will grow up to be similar parents? The givernment for not doing enuf for them?

Of us, the society at large for making them who they are but judging them, ostracising them and dsicriminating against them?

*The last single for his album Repeat Offender.

Scared, are you?* - Better than Ezra

2011-06-30T04:11:00.004+01:00

Dear Hishammuddin,

I have been reading with interest your response to the rally planned by Bersih next weekend.

The Bersih office was raided without a warrant. Individuals who were out distributing our Malaysian flags were detained. You were reported to have outlawed certain t-shirts (although we are still baffled at such a declaration since only the law can decide what is right and what is not). The IGP - the head of our police force - has even made references to shoes!!!!

The police in Georgetown have obtained a court ruling preventing people from attending 2 talks (see here).

This morning, we awoke to the news that sounds very much like a threat - that the police will take action against those who are taking part in the rally.

Let us get some things in perspective - what is this rally that is seemingly causing you so much fear and anxiety that you will resort to those above measures? It is not a rally calling people to overturn the government. It is not a rally asking people to commit crimes. It is not a rally to support hate and racism.

It is a rally asking that we have a clean election, one that is fair and just. Surely you cannot fault the organiser’s intentions.

Furthermore, you should know yourself that what they are planning to do is allowed in our Constitution. Even the Human Rights Commission of our country is of the view that it is the right of Malaysians to assemble and express their views in a peaceful manner (see here).

Should not the government be supportive of an initiative like this? The only people who would stand up against such an effort should be those who do not want a clean and fair elections.

If you are concerned about public order, the government and the police should be helping the organisers instead of harassing, threatening and antagonising them. Perhaps you can talk with the organisers and work out how best to have the rally. Perhaps roads may have to be closed for a period of time. But this is over the weekend. We have recently also experienced road closures due to the filming of a Hong Kong movie recently.

When I was in the UK in 2006, a group of Muslims were allowed to have a rally in the heart of London. The London police were dispatched to close some major roads and allowed these people to have their march. Their rights were respected, protected and fulfilled. I do not see why we cannot do the same thing here.

If it is really the concern of the government that there may be chaos and problems arising from this planned peaceful march, then that is the role of our police force to ensure that it is stopped. After all, there will always be such a risk when a large crowd of people assemble – in sports events, in shopping malls during sales, in night markets etc. But we do not stop these events because we recognise the right of people to participate in these events – how much more should the government support the participation of events which call for a fair and just election? Again, I will say those who oppose it must be afraid of having a clean election.

So please stop giving the impression that the government is afraid of a fair, clean and just election. Stop giving the impression that the government does not respect the human rights of Malaysians to assemble and express their views in a peaceful manner.

If any public disorder arises from the planned rally, the police and the government should be held responsible for it if they did not take reasonable steps to prevent it.

Thank you.

*Track #5 from their album, Friction, Baby which was released in 1996.

Yellow* - Coldplay

2011-06-29T10:48:00.008+01:00

Yellow - so what does the colour stand for? What does it mean? I did a quick search and here is what i found:-

"Yellow symbolizes wisdom. Yellow means joy and happiness. Like the energy of a bright sunny day, yellow brings clarity and awareness."

"Because of the high visibility of bright yellow, it is often used for hazard signs and some emergency vehicles. For years yellow ribbons were worn as a sign of hope..."

"Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy..."

Actually, all this sounds like what Bersih is all about. To me, anyways.They are asking for a clean elections. They are raising awareness for the need to have fair elections. It is also a warning to those who are considering dirty tactics in the coming elections.

But some people have been responding to Bersih with fear! Why else would they start to outlaw t-shirts and shoes?????

Perhaps, that is why yellow is also used to represent cowards!

People like Pua Chu Kang, the Digi Yellow Man, Mr Squarepants and the Simpsons better steer clear of this country in the next few days!!!

*I remembered that they actually used this song in one of The Simpsons trailers!

I'm so excited* - Pointer Sisters

2011-06-28T12:41:00.003+01:00

So thankfully, as with every year, we have Wimbledon to keep us entertained while the EPL rests.

And for this year, it looks really good. Was talking about it with my colleague and we agreed that this year's men's tournament is one of the most open one in a long time. And it's not just a 2 horse race - it is a 4 horse race!

We have the best British player and crowd favourite, Andy Murray! With home ground advantage and coming into the tournament after winning the Aegon Championships at Queen's, his confidence is surely high and this is arguably his best chance to be the long awaited Brit winner at Wimbledon!

Then there is the best player of the day - and the defending champion! Coming into the tournament after winning the French Open, his confidence should be high - but the manner in which he won left much to be desired by his fans. He din win it very convincingly. Still, it'll be a fool to write him off!

How about this player - the best player of the year! Unbeaten except in one game by the next person i'm gonna talk about.

And finally, the person who is to me, arguably the best player of all time and on grass!

But unfortunately, i've not had the chance to really watch any matches yet (which is a good thing cuz seeing Li Na lose would be rather painful). There's this week!!!!

And after that, Copa America!!! Woohoo!

*One of their classics released in their 1982 album, never fails to get feet tapping!

Freak out* - Avril Lavigne

2011-06-19T09:21:00.000+01:00

The people around me were trying to calm me down. I must really look stressed!

It won't be surprising cuz i felt that way!!! It has been a long long time since i felt that way. Perhaps like before my first lecture, or going up to speak on the pulpit. But no, this time was prolly the worst! I really was on the verge of freaking out!!!

This time was so different because when i go for a lecture or go up to the pulpit, i go prepared. Sure, there is some level of nervousness but it is all manageable. I just need to go up there, say what i have already prepared - and making references to the notes/power point slides to assist me. And of course, speak in English!!! =)

But that time, it was a whole new ball game! It was a LIVE TV interview - conducted in Bahasa Malaysia! The Malay language. Being a "live" interview, there is no fixed script - altho they gave us answers to possible questions that will be asked, it is still pretty daunting!

And my BM is so rusty!!!! Sure, i can go buy food and even strike up a conversation with the man on the street. But in the interview, i was supposed to explain things like what is "Student Centred Learning", how it developes cognitive skills. what are "soft skills" etc!!! I would even have problems explaining that off-hand in English (but i did that quite easily when interviewed by students on campus - yes you can see clips of that being screened on the flat-screen tvs around campus. Dunno if they still show it or not).

I initially thought the interview was to focus on Aida, my student - and i am just there as her lecturer. But upon reading the possible questions that will be asked (which i only receive a few days before the interview), i realised that the main focus is on me!!!! And it i snot about the Law School - but about Taylor's Uni!!!!! That would mean that not only will the viewers be housewives and ppl in the hospital waiting rooms, but also every top gub in the Uni management!!!! If i embarass meself, i'll embarass the entire Uni!!!! Talk about having the weight of everyone on my shoulders!!!!!

So yes, i was not surprised when the colleagues who were there were a little amused and a touch concerned to see how freaked out i look that morning while waiting to be interviewed.

I tried to prepare meself by listening to a Malay radio channel all week - and even dug up my old Sheila Majid albums to listen. It din help that everyone at the TV studio was speaking in English!!! Even the interviewer was chatting with us in English just minutes b4 we went on air.

The feeling i had brought back memories of life as a practising lawyer - having to submit in the Malay language and preparing self to be asked anything and everything on the subject matter, having the expectations (and sometimes the life savings) of my clients weighing heavy on my shoulders.

Maybe tt's the reason why i din last in the practice. Well, 7 years is quite long! But comparing life now with how it was back then, it is indeed a pleasant stroll in the park these days!

Still, i'm glad to say that the interview went alright. Just like in practice, the moment we started, i went thru it quite easily - my colleagues said that i was a totally different person when on air, full of confidence. It wasn't perfect, tho.

I din realise it until i rewatched it that they got the Uni name wrong thruout the interview!!!! They kept referring to us as Taylor's College!!!! And when i do refer to the Uni, i only refered to is as "Taylor's". The management may not have been too pleased with that!!!

And oh - i looked really fat on TV!!!

p/s - i oso got a taste of how my students feel just before going for their moots!!!

p/p/s - the studio was interesting. it was surprisingly easy to get in and security seemed to be pretty minimal. We walked past quite a number of radio pragrammes being broadcasted "live". I was told that the actual studio we were filmed in was actually small compared to RTM's. And i was a little surprised that as we sat waiting in the studio, we could actually whisper to each other as the show is going on just a few metres away!

*Track 11 from her 2nd studio album.

At the beginning* - Donna Lewis & Richard Marx

2011-06-09T08:32:00.005+01:00

I had only a few hours of sleep. And it was gonna be a long day. A long weekend ahead, in fact! I was to drive to another state that day. But i had to watch it.

I have been waiting for a long time - but cautiously. After all, when your expectations have not been met a couple of times, one tends to be more careful. X-Men was really good - but X2 was simply brilliant, out-doing its predecessor! X3 was alright - but only because i kept my expectations really low after hearing all the negative comments about it. Wolverine was pretty bad.

The trailer for First Class looked good. But dun most trailers look good? And how good would an X-Men movie be without Wolverine? Further, Star Wars and George Lucas has made prequels into a bad thing!

But thanks to Ruey's positive comment on FB, i went to watch it. And it was gooooood!

I think this is by far the best movie i've seen this year!

Everything about it is good! The acting was pretty good. The 3 main male leads really carried the movie well - James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Kevin Bacon.

The effect were pretty cool - submarines being pulled out of the water, Azazel teleporting, Emma Frost turning into diamond, Raven turning into - anything!

Complaints? Well, the Beast was a little disappointing tho - like a man dressed in a bad ape suit in the Smurf colour! And i thought January Jones did not have what it takes to pull off Emma Frost!

But the best thing was the storyline! I like the story - how it used a real historic event and retell it in an interesting manner. I love seeing how familiar characters started off. I love being introduced to new characters - it made me actually go back and do research on them!

I like how they showed humans reacting in fear to the unknown, to what is different, and instead of being more accepting, they turn against what they do not understand. But isn't that true of us? We fear what we do not know - and most of the time, the fear, which is uncalled for, leads to prejudice and ostracising. That is prolly why the Bible says that perfect love drives out all fear.

The most important storyline for me is the friendship of Charles and Erik. I loved it! And although everyone who knows just a little bit of X-Men will know that they become bitter enemies, i still had tears in my eyes when it finally happened. It was kinda like how Clark Kent and Lex Luthor were frens in Smallville.

Yes, this is a great movie in my books - even better than X2, which ranks pretty high in my list! I'm definitely gonna watch it again!

*Taken from the soundtrack of Anastacia.

Anything that costs me nothing* - Bobby Michaels

2011-06-07T05:35:00.003+01:00

The retreat is over and done - and i breathed a sigh of relief when it finally came to an end. Altho there is still the surveys to look at and a final post-mortem to be done, the main event is over.

Quite a number of people did come up to ask me why did i take up the role as the chairman of the organising committee when i have my own wedding to plan for? Truth be told, i asked myself that question too. I should have joined everyone else and gave at my navel when a volunteer was asked to take up the role during the deacons' meeting.

But the day after the retreat ended, i read this verse during my morning Bible reading:-

But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing." (1 Chronicles 21:24)

And i thought again about that question i asked and was asked. Should i only have taken up the responsibility when it was convenient for me to do so? What kind of service to the Lord would it be?

Surely he deserves our all - and i'm reminded that we should not be "convenient Crhistians" ie only serve when it is convenient to do so. The sacrifices offered to the Lord must cost me something to repay back what he has given to me and to reflect the devotion i have to him.

I thank God for the timely lesson and reminder.

*This song was based on that very verse which i refered to above.

If not for you* - Olivia Newton-John

2011-06-06T05:21:00.002+01:00

So Nadal wins his 10th Grand Slam! At the expense of Roger Federer again, equalling the record set by Borg to win 6 French Open tournaments! Congratulations! Well done.

I am disappointed, to be honest. I have always been a huge fan of Roger Federer - and while i do not argue with the rankings, i personally rank Federer as the most complete tennis player. In addition to his skills, he brings a touch of grace and elegance to the game - not just the brute force and sheer tenacity shown by others. This is - to me - a gentleman's game!

So last nite, as i watch Nadal triumph over him again, i felt really really sad for him. One thing that was said by the commentators was pretty interesting - Federer is actually quite a good clay court tennis player! Only 2 other persons have played more times in the finals at the Frebch Open than he - Borg and Nadal.

With all due respect to Borg, perhaps he did not have an equal back in those days. And today, if Nadal never appeared in the tennis scene, there would be few - if any - who can challenge Federer as the King of Clay!

Unfortunately, he has only won once at the French Open - not because he is not good on clay but only becuase there was someone else better than him!

I wonder how many times it must have crossed his mind - albeit briefly as he like us is just human - that if not for Nadal, things would be so different for him. If Nadal was born in a different time - or if Federer was born in a different time - things would be different.

(Pic taken from gototennis.com)

But they both are with us in this lifetime, in this generation, and it has given us some some really great tennis to watch!

Now for Wimbledon! =)

*One of the earliest songs i listened to as a little child - now i find out that it was actually a cover of Bob Dylan's song! This cover however was her first international hit.

With a little help from my friends* - Joe Cocker

2011-06-01T19:27:00.002+01:00

Supposed to be one of the most stressful time of the year...

But it wasn't so bad this time round. In fact, this was prolly the easiest i've had, ever! I'm thankful to God for my frens who helped made it that way! =)

*The theme song of "The Wonder Years" - used to be my fav TV show at that time.

It's not right but it's okay* - Whitney Houston

2011-05-31T05:16:00.005+01:00

We were talking about how some people would do anything to get ahead in life - specifically, the younger ones these days who suck-up to the bosses shamelessly.

We then talked about how this attitude is evident in all areas of life these days. People will just do whatever it takes to get ahead - not caring if it is morally or ethically wrong. Some would even go so far to do what is legally wrong! After all, it seems that it's the ends that matters - and the ends justifies whatever means we use to achieve it.

Take a simple example - when we drive on the road, people will not think twice but to just go right to the front and jump queue so that they need not wait in tunr for so long. And ppl like me are like idiots to them - stupid enuf to wait patiently in line for my turn.

There are many occasions when i stand patiently in a queue and people just "slip in" in front of me as if i wasn't there!!!! It happened when i was at Wimbledon queueing to get into a court - and it was two sweet looking old laides who just slowly moved in infront of me!!!! I wasn't gonna make a scene where people will no doubt side with 2 golden girls than this scruffy looking asian.

And what is even sadder is that if we try to prevent these people form doing what is morally/legally wrong, they snap back at us - instead of being ashamed at descending to such low means to achieve their selfish ends, they act like it is their inherent right to do so and we are wrong to prevent them!

How true what the Bible says - that there will come a time when people will say that wrong is right and right is wrong.

But i had to confess that i have been tempted to think that way. After all, what gain do i get from waiting patiently in line? Those who just "cut queue" will benefit as they do not waste time and they will not get into trouble over it.

Who who cares if it is morally wrong to suck up to the bosses in order to get ahead at work - instead of the stupid people who work hard, ethically and humbly? In the end, the former will get the promotion and the latter will remain where they are.

I feel sad that these days, ethics and morals are so low on the priority list these days. We focus on the ends rather than the means - so much so that if a football player cheats during the game, he can be touted as a hero!!!! (see here)

It's not right - but it's ok. And it's not just OK but it's commendable these days!!!

So why bother doing what is right?

I know there are many who still hold on to these ideals - and i salute them! They do what is right simply because - it is right!!! They believe in the inherent good of man and that if they stand up for right and against wrong, it will make a difference.

And there are some like me - who stand up for right simply because we believe in a righteous God. And this righteous God would demand only the same from us - to do what is right. So to me, that is my joy and reward - i'm not here to please my bosses or to satisfy my own wants. I'm here to live for him - and when i do what is right, he will be pleased. And that is all that should matter for me. As a good fren once said - "We should all live in the audience of one". And that one is of course God.

*She won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for this song.

Who am I?* - Will Young

2011-05-27T02:22:00.005+01:00

Kung Fu Panda 2 is out!!! We watched it last nite.

So how was it? As one online reviewer was saying, is it more like Toy Story 2 or Shrek 2?

I for one was a little worried. I want it to be good! I loved the first one so much. But can any sequel live up to it's predecessor that was really good? Not every movie is Toy Story.

Well, it did not blow me away. It was not a Toy Story 2 kind of sequel. To me anyways. Perhaps i was tired, perhaps i was too worried about my interview this morning (no, not job interview - in case you Taylor's management ppl are spying on this), perhaps the really lousy popcorn (which started to spill out from the bottom) spoilt the movie a bit... but i have to say that it was not a super enjoyable movie.

Still, i'm not saying that it's bad either. It was enjoyable! There were quite a few LOL scenes. New characters made it more interesting too.

What really worked for me was the storyline. We get know more of who Po is. We finally find out why is it he has a goose for a father!

We also get to see Po when he was a little panda - scenes which will surely appeal to the girls (Cue: Awww..... so cute).

Po was asked in the movie - and he asked himself the same question- "Who am i?" The answer? Simple - but i won't spoil it for you here.

So the sequel is very much a self-discovery journey for Po - and fortunately for us, it is an interesting and funny journey that we can join in. I liked that that Po's character has been developed much further - and tied in to this is the theme of father and son relationship.

I'll prolly watch it again - in Cantonese! Sure, it's no Toy Story 2 - but how many movies can be like a Toy Story 2? At least it's not a Terminator 3!

*Memorable as it was in the charts when i was studying in the UK.

Rain* - Madonna

2011-05-12T09:35:00.001+01:00

I’m sitting with the sound of rain falling outside. I should be sleeping – there’re not many things much nicer than sleeping while it rains outside! =)

I love the rain! Maybe it’s cuz I usually can’t stand the heat – and in my country, rain usually is synonymous with relief from the heat. I know many do not like rain – and I fully understand it. In the weeks before the recent heatwave, it rained daily – and it caused much inconvenience! It not only rained but it poured. Thunderstorms. Traffic jams, trees being uprooted – and even for me cuz I had to turn off the modem which meant not being able to go online!!! Even now, I’m typing this offline!

But given a choice, I would like it to rain! Like now.

Simple pleasures in life – sitting by my window and watching the rain. I remember days I spent in London – not exploring the city but sitting indoors, reading, with a cup of coffee next to me, accompanied by the sound of the rain falling outside.

There is something beautiful in seeing the rain drops falling downwards, forced by gravity yet somehow, it does so almost reluctantly, using whatever friction there is in the atmosphere to stop it’s downward ascend – an exercise in futility as its destiny to reach the ground is inevitable. Perhaps what is more beautiful than that sight is the snowflakes wafting slowly down to the ground.

The view of everything changes – everything is covered by a layer of the rain – like watching the scenery behind a window. Only that the scenery is now behind a glass sheet of rain. It is eerie and beautiful at the same time.

The sound of the rain is in direct opposite of the sound of snow falling – while the latter is hauntingly silent, the rain makes its presence known audibly – but not in a distracting noisy manner but in a consistently comforting tune. How many times have I been awaken in the middle of the night by the sound of the pitter patter of the rain drops on the roof, and then being lulled to sleep by the same sound!

The feel of the rain is also lovely – altho it has been some time since I have been able to enjoy it. Perhaps I’m getting old – and running around in the rain is not something my brain would approve of! Not especially if the rain is accompanied by lightning! And also the body not being as strong as it used to be to ward of any sickness due to getting drenched in the rain. But I do miss the feel of the tiny little icy pin pricks on the skin of my body.

After the rain, everything seems nicer. Life seems better!!! I exaggerate - but not by much! =) Even the sun shines brighter after the rain. The world looks so much fresher, like it took a nice long hot shower!

And the rain can stir up something within me, to drag me out of a wonderful afternoon to blog about it!!! Trust me, not many things can achieve that – not just to drag me up but to get me to do so willingly! =)

*Her 5th single from her 5th album.

Evergreen* - Will Young

2011-05-11T04:48:00.003+01:00

Dear Shona and Hollie,

I talked about you two again in class this morning. For some reason, it was much harder than it used to be.

Time flies, doesn't it? My current students were only 2 years old when i last saw you two. I'm gonna get married soon, you know! Would have loved to bring her to mee you.

Perhaps, one sweet day, we'll all be reunited again?

I told my students that the last song you were listening to before you left was Will Young's Evergreen. In a way, it is kinda apt - cuz the memories of that time back then will remain evergreen for me.

*This was a remake of Westlife's song! Yes, for a change, it's not Westlife that remade a song - but just like always, the Westlife's version is not as good!

An Englishman in New York* - Sting

2011-05-09T17:40:00.005+01:00

I love Jamie Oliver!!!! Well, not in that gay way!!! =P

I think he's really good and interesting. I could go on and on about him but i just want to blog about an episode of Jamie's American Road Trip that i caught last weekend. It was the episode where he was in New York.

I really enjoyed it cuz he went to places and sampled food that is not what one would expect - not on a travel channel. No, he did not do any of those touristy stuffs. Instead, he did what he always does - goes and searches out the interesting and often overlooked food-related stories.

His focus was on the immigrant community - rather large in the Big Apple. This is the placed where ppl go to fulfil their American Dream!

Here is an excerpt taken from his site regarding this episode:-

This episode of Jamie’s American Roadtrip takes Jamie to New York City, only this time he’s trading the upscale restaurants and neighbourhoods he’s used to for an apartment in one of the world’s most ethnically diverse areas: Queens. From his new home Jamie explores some of the food being cooked by New York’s immigrant communities: Egyptian, Peruvian and Chinese.

Jamie uncovers things he’s never imagined like an illegal restaurant run in a family’s living room and an anti-restaurant scene. The people who run these ‘supper clubs’ open their homes to strangers and feed them restaurant-quality meals, without the inflated prices and hurried service. After discovering this new side to the city he’s known for years, Jamie is inspired to hold his own supper club.

But perhaps the best part of this episode (to me) was when he visited Jorge who is an immigrant from Columbia. It was pretty interesting - as Jamie was not concerned so much about what Jorge was cooking but who he was cooking for.

Jorge has a full time job - but when he gets home, he cooks every nite for Colombian immigrants who are homeless and on the streets of Queens. Jamie follows him out and even helps to serve the simple food - to a lot of them, their only meal of the day in the freezing cold New York winter.

Why would Jorge do that? simple - he himself was like that in the past. He went into the States as an illegal immigrant and had to endure the hardships and suffering - and now he feels the need to help his fellow country man - based purely on humanity, nothing else. And his faith in God too.

One could see that Jorge has a ~~big~~ huge heart! i just did a search on him (angel in queens) and i came across many articles and videos about him.

I liked it when at the end of the episode, jamie was reflecting about the role of immigrants in our community - how his great granddad used to be rather "racist" about immigrants - even tho he himself was a Sudanese!!! It was a nice personal touch personal touch to it, not too preachy, but his simple view of how the immigrant community can contribute to our society.

*One of his classics! and one of my fav songs!

Mad season* - Matchbox 20

2011-05-08T02:50:00.003+01:00

With the exams here, i thought life would be much easier. I was wrong. Dead wrong!!!! Last week was prolly the craziest week of my life at Taylor's. There were some pretty difficult times but i've not remembered not being able to sleep for 2 nights in a row, just rushing to complete some work - which i still feel is not right to impose on us!!!!

Ah well...

Too lazy to blog about it - just reposted my fb statuses since last Monday:-

Pork noodles on Labour Day holiday! But after that, back to campus to labour on Labour Day. I'm a labour-holic...
02 May at 08:22

Drowning in work... but on the bright side, singlehood only has 4 more months before its expiry date! =)
03 May at 01:00

I got tricked!!!!! It's not as easy as it was made out to be!!!! =(
03 May at 10:47

Super stressed, so much work, crazy expectations... but in some weird sick way, i'm enjoying it.
03 May at 12:48

Paganini keeping me company as i try to keep meself from drowning in my work. The only way to stay afloat is to just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
Wednesday at 01:35

Classical music really goes well with law!!!! I've had Chopin, Paganini and now Mozart keeping me company! Reminds me of my law student days.
Wednesday at 13:33

Trying not to drown... just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
Wednesday at 16:56

Looks like there is no sleep at all tonight. I really did not sign up for this - and no one can expect me to be happy about this.
Wednesday at 23:40

Staying up all night long doing things which i feel by right shouldn't be imposed upon me. Ah well...
Thursday at 00:41

Not bad - i'm still plodding on despite not sleeping last nite - and sleeping very little the night before that. Well, i guess i can sleep when i'm dead...
Thursday at 15:17

Sleep is overrated!!!! It's gonna be another all nighter again - and i'm armed with lots of food and coffee!
Thursday at 23:38

Finally went to sleep on Friday around 10 am. It was scary as before that, i would be typing a sentence and midway thru, i would not know wat i was typing about!!!! The mind just switched off!!!!

This weekend, i was like suffering from jet-lag.

I hope the worst has passed...

The title song of their 2nd album.

I like Chopin* - Gazebo

2011-05-07T02:21:00.003+01:00

When i woke up this morning, this tune was playing in my head:-

Strange to have a classical piece playing in your mind? Well, i must admit that it has been some time since i've had any classical pieces in mine.

I like Chopin. Used to be such a big fan - one of my fav composers. I used to love the sound of the piano so naturally i was drawn to a pianist. And this piece is one of his easiest to recognise. I remember first really listening to this piece in a Tom and Jerry cartoon!!!! Yes, they used it in a cartoon! Not a bad way to introduce kids like me back then to good music.

This piece is also known as "Minute Waltz" - and there are people who say that it was meant to be played in 1 minute!!! Well, that is not true - i used to believe in that, tho! It is just a 'nickname' for this waltz as it is a 'small' one - a minute one.

I've listened to some people playing this waltz like a runaway train - sure, it may look impressive but it just spoiled the piece. It has this rather playful light feel to it! Maybe tt's why i love it - it was such a contrast with what i was going thru lately.

These past few days have been pretty crazy for me at work. Actually went 2 days with sleep (but with some power naps here and there) - and classical music has been keeping me company!

It reminds me of my student days when i used to study listening to classical music - i just needed some music to be there - enough to keep me company but at the same time not distract me - and only classical music can be like that! =)

More about my crazy past few days later. Now i still need to pay off some debts. Sleep debts!

*One of the big hits in the early 80s - interestingly, it has been categorised under the genre "Italo Disco"! Loved this song back then.

Deep water* - Jewel

2011-05-04T06:21:00.003+01:00

I'm so in above my head... just struggling to keep afloat.

I guess the best way not to drown is not dissimilar to how not to fall off a bike. In the latter, one must just keep pedalling and moving forward. For the former, one will have to just keep swimming, i guess.

But in some weird sick way, i'm actually enjoying it! I was feeling really tired when i went to bed in the wee hours of this morning - but i did not collapsed and fall asleep immediately. I felt mentally alert! Yes, i'm actually enjoying this... =(

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

* The first track from her album Spirit.

Part of your world* - Jodi Benson

2011-05-03T11:59:00.000+01:00

This has been sitting in my draft folder for a month!!!! Better late than never:-

Being engaged to marry means getting ready to enjoy married life - when 2 shall become 1. This means that she will share with my life and i hers.

She has fit in very well into my world.

Celebrations and outings with my family, frens and students

I must confess tho that it is taking me a little longer to do the same. Well, last weekend gave me an opportunity to not just be with her family but to with all her extended relatives as well!

It was an interesting time. I can describe it as 4 Wedding gatherings and A Funeral! Thankfully, the funeral was not of someone that we knew.

It was an eye-opener of how the people in a small town celebrate a wedding! The night before, we went over to her cousin's house for dinner. Nice home cooked meal, very home-y feel to it.

The next day was the wedding dinner - in a restaurant at Gopeng. Typical chinese restaurant, with a huge dragon and peacock decorating the back of the stage. The MC was also the entertainer! he was dressed in a bling bling bright orange shirt with an equally bright red vest! He was pretty good, i must admit. He sang and MC-ed and led in all the usual wedding dinner stuffs. He was clearly very experienced (and apparently he was English educated).

Being a typical wedding dinner in a small town, there had to be karaoke!!! Thankfully, those who went up to sing were pretty good - unlike my one other previous experience during my fren's wedding in a small town down south!

There was plenty of food to go around (unlike one which i attended recently at PJ where there were only 7 dishes) and plenty of alcohol too! =)

SEVEN, baby!!!!!

The next day, they had the tea ceremonies at both sides' home. Then we went to the groom's house for lunch. They catered from a nearby restaurant.

tGiF with her cousins, aunty and mom

During the time we were there, a funeral procession passed by. There was a band and then a lot of people walking - and the casket was carried - yes, carried by a few men - all under the hot sun.

Overall, it was not as bad as i dreaded it to be. And there were a lot of moments which were really fun - and one of tGiF's uncles is really like Jack Black!!!!

We were colour coordinated all weekend - but it was nto planned!

*Taken from the soundtrack of The Little Mermaid.

Let go* - Avril Lavigne

2011-05-02T08:14:00.004+01:00

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

Taken from President Obama's speech - (see here)

I hope and pray that with the news today, those aforementioned people will have some sort of closure.

*Her unreleased track which was supposed to be on her debut album which had the same name.

Grace* - U2

2011-05-02T00:09:00.000+01:00

Still on the Royal Wedding! =)

The flower girl is so cute, isn't she? Her name is Grace. Grace Van Cutsem. She managed to steal the limelight (to me, at least) from the Royal kiss!

*Makes mental note - make sure there are no frowning flower girls around when my photos are taken during my wedding*

*Quite a beautiful song, taken from their 10th studio album.

When you're gone* - Avril Lavigne

2011-05-01T09:14:00.001+01:00

We watched this movie a few weeks ago during my church's home cell group meeting.

It wasn't great but it was a sobering reminder that one day, Jesus will take all of his people away from the earth. This is what the Bible refers to as the "Rapture". Thereafter, there will be a period called the "Tribulation" - before Jesus comes again and rules the world.

If you are not a Christian, this may seem as utter nonsense to you. I dun blame you - if i were in yr shoes, i would think worse things of these views.

But i feel compelled to blog this - please, please, please, take note of this. For one day, all the Christians who are true believers will disappear from the face of the earth - literally. It is believed that infants and little children will also disappear.

I do not know how they will explain it away - but i want to tell you now that this has been predicted by the Bible long ago.

If unfortunately this has happened, and you are here because you did a search online to make sense of what is happening, do not be surprised. Instead, get hold of the Bible. And take time to watch the following videos.

1. Video - Part 1
2. Video - Part 2
3. Video - Part 3

The videos are really long - it would take some effort to watch them all. But if rapture has happened, then do make the effort! There may be other videos or webpages online which talk about this.

If it has not happened, you may think i'm out of my mind and full of cr*p. Well, go ahead. But i'm still blogging this as i feel compelled to warn everyone - and i'm putting kep words in this post so that in the future, after the rapture, people can do a search on google and come across this post - millions disappeared vanished unexplained chaos world peace

I wish you all the best.

*The 2nd single from her 3rd studio album. Nice power ballad.

Tell him* - Vonda Shepard

2011-04-30T10:47:00.006+01:00

While Kate Middleton's sister caught the attention of a lot of guys' attention during the Royal Wedding, it was his brother who caught mine -

As he was doing the scripture reading, his tie was soooooo distracting. It was so off, so crooked!!! This is prolly his biggest moment in his life, to have the attention of the royal family and millions of people all over the world. Yet, when the camera pans in and shows a close-up of him, many people would have been looking at his tie instead.

My sister was commenting and wondering why did no one tell him about it???? Even for myself, before appearing in front of a class of around 50 students, i'd run off to the washroom just to make sure my tie is alright - and that my fly is up!!!! ;-)

In case some might be thinking that the tie only got crooked as he excited made his way up, let me tell you that that was not the case. Yes, the net detective in me checked it up!!!!

The tie was already crooked when he arrived at Westminster Abbey:-

In fact, when he left for Westminster Abbey, his tie was already like that!!!!

There could have been so many people who could have just mentioned "Hey James, yr tie is off. Straigthen it".

But no one did. None of his family members did, none of those who were in close proximity to him did.

If i were him, i'd be so mad that i did not check it again - and i'd be sooooo mad that no one bothered to tell me about it!!!!

But thankfully, his was not the only "wardrobe malfunction". This may not be considered as one but Beckham was apparently wearing his OBE Medal on the wrong side!!!!!

But this Beckham - and why are we not surprised?

*Her remake of the Exciters song.

Yellow* - Coldplay

2011-04-29T07:52:00.000+01:00

So apparently, this is gonna be Liverpool's 3rd jersey for the next season:-

I'm not too excited about it. Yellow???? I like it back then when we used to have green! =)

I'm just wondering how true this is, tt it's gonna be yellow. There has been other rumoured designs but this looks the most real! After all, their current manager now used to play in a very similar kit in the past:-

And yellow really isn't anything new. When Adidas first took over back from Reebok, the away strip was yellow:-

Even during the Reebok days, yellow has been used a few times. This is my all time fav yellow strip:-

Here is another Reebok yellow strip:-

This was another one of my favourites - altho it is more golden yellow:-

Apparently, before Reebok took over from Adidas, their away strip was also yellow:-

So have we come a full circle? The next question is if it really is in yellow, am i gonna get it? I dun know. As it is, i'm planning to get the away one which is in black. And this yellow is a tad bit too bright, isn't it?

*One of their classics, i remembered it was also used for one of the Simpsons The Movie trailer!

You really got a hold on me* - The Beatles

2011-04-28T05:41:00.000+01:00

Jeffrey Archer is simply brilliant!!!!!

After so long, i finally finished this book. Think i've been reading it for almost a year!!!! But thanks to encouragement of the owner of a book rental store, i managed to make time every nite and finished at least a chapter before turning in.

But as i came close to the end, i could not stop at just one chapter!!!! Archer just got a firm hold over me - and i put aside everything and devoured every page of it hungrily until the end.

I can't remember being so excited and so into it for a movie of a TV show for so long - yet, these black words on rough news print paper garnered more excitement for me than the live moving pictures of any movie/tv show in recent times. I was like a kid on Christmas day, just bubbling over with excitement!!!!

But i have to say i did not feel the same thruout the book. Still, it is the best read i have had for a long long time. The book is loosely based on The Count of Monte Cristo. So basically, it was about how a man was sent to jail for a crime he did not commit - and how he got out and took revenge on those who framed him.

Perhaps what made me enjoy it was the fact was it had things which were very familiar to me. For instance, the setting was based in London - specifically, East London! And there were a lot of courtroom drama. The finale actually took place in the courtroom - and Archer is simply a master in writing it out!

Having said that, he made a small mistake that only lawyers would have noticed - he referred to the case as "...the Crown versus Daniel Arthur Cartwright...". A very common mistake made by lay people. After all, these cases are usually written out as "R v Daniel Arthur Cartwright" - but the "v" is not "versus". It is "against".

But i'm nitpicking aren't i?

My status as a Jeffrey Archer fan has been reconfirmed! Now i'm looking for Paths of Glory - and while doing so, i found out he's having another book out next month!!!! Woohoo!!!!

*Their cover of this classic by The Miracles.

Hats* - Amy Grant

2011-04-25T00:39:00.000+01:00

Wearing too many hats! Fiancé, son, brother, uncle, Programme Director, lecturer, tutor, mentor, personal tutor, counsellor, church deacon, retreat committee chairman, ahf group leader, preacher, home handyman, home IT expert, ad-hoc driver, friend, blogger...

There's a chinese saying that says that if you dun have a big head, dun wear such a big hat. But it does not say anything about wearing too many hats when u have only 1 head!

*Taken from her successful pop album, 'Hearts in Motion'.

The one and only* - Chesney Hawkes

2011-04-24T16:22:00.005+01:00

I was a little hesitant to draft this post. But in the end, i feel like i'm only stating facts - and if people are unhappy about it, then they just have to face up to it.

What partly sparked this off was reading about the death of Sai Baba - a man who was considered by some to be a god. Now that's a paradox, isn't it? A god who can die? Reminds me of this really old computer game i used to play when i was really young - 'God', where after achieving the level of being 'God', you are only given 10 new "lifes" for you to carry on, meaning that eventually, you'll still die!

As i read about Sai Baba - and let me say i wholly respect everyone's right to chose their own beliefs and religion - i came across this:-

"It is said that his mother claimed her son was born out of an immaculate conception just as Jesus Christ had been, another messiah who Sai Baba often identified himself with."

So both Sai Baba and his mother apparently made comparisons of him with Jesus Christ.

But there is this super huge big difference - Jesus did not remain dead. In fact, today itself was when Christians all over the world celebrated the fact that Jesus rose from the dead!

One thing in common about all the leaders of the world's religions (those which i know of) is that they all eventually die - and remained dead.

There's where Jesus is different - he rose from the dead and is alive forevermore. My redeemer lives! I serve a risen saviour!

Because he lives, i can face tomorrow
Because he lives, all fear is gone
Because i know he holds the future
And life is worth the living just because he lives
(Bill Gaither)

*The no. 1 hit in the UK in 1991, it was recently featured in the movie Source Code as the ring tone of Michelle Monaghan's phone.

Never gone* - Backstreet Boys

2011-04-23T16:23:00.003+01:00

I was listening again to Drops of Jupiter - and i realised i never really understood what the song was all about!

So id went online to search for the meaning - and i found this clip where Pat Monahan himself explains the story behind the song and its meaning:-

Interesting, isn't it? The song basically is talking about how his mom basically never left - but she is still around, here, in the atmosphere!

It was all the more special to me as today, my family commemorated the 4th anniversary of the passing away of my dad. Yes, he left his physical body on the 23rd of April 2007 - but to us, he is never really gone. He will be always with us in our hearts - and on that one sweet day, we'll be reunited again up in the clouds to be with the Lord forever.

*The title song of their "comeback" album.

Why?* - Avril Lavigne

2011-04-22T14:38:00.000+01:00

Flash of inspiration during Good Friday service:-

He died, so i may live;
He died, to bring me relief;
He died, new life i receive;
He died, how can i not believe?

*This song is only found in the Tour Edition bonus VCD of her debut album.

On bended knee* - Boyz II Men

2011-04-21T10:27:00.006+01:00

People will recognise this painting almost immediately:-

But most do not know that it depicted what took place the night before Jesus was crucified. Some do know that it is the "Last Supper" - because it was just that! His last supper where he told his disciples to take the bread and wine to remember him.

As i was thinking of the events of that night, i recall too what took place after the supper. It was unthinkable. Jesus actually got down on his knees and washed the feet of his disciples!!!! Read the account here.

Now back in those days, the task of washing the feet of others fall on the lowest servant. Certainly no one will want to do such a thing. It was degrading and humiliating - and certainly not nice at all!

So here is the scene - Jesus, whom these men treated as their master, took the role of the slave!!!! It is even all the more mind-blowing when one realises that Jesus is not only the master of these men but he is also God in the form of man!!!!! The creator washing the feet of those he created... And even more more mind-boggling, Jesus washed the feet of Judas, knowing that he is the one who was going to betray him to a cruel and horrible death.

Why did he do that? In John 13:15, the reason he did that is to set an example for us to follow.

Truth be told, i do not know if i can humble myself to such an extent... but if God can do it, why can't i? If God himself could lower himself in such a way, i know i shud do the same.

In John 13:17, Jesus says that we will be blessed if we do the same. It is not meant to make life difficult for us but to bless us. And i can testify to this in some small extent - for the times when i do things for others, i feel blessed myself. It is indeed more blessed to give than to receive.

If only i practice that more in my life...

*Their no. 1 hit in 1994, it actually took the no. 1 spot from another Boyz II Men song!

Rio* - Duran Duran

2011-04-20T16:55:00.006+01:00

Was planning to watch Love and Other Drugs but thanks to a student's blog post, i decided otherwise. So tGiF and i watched this instead:-

There were no regrets watsoever! =)

Won't give any spoilers here. But nothing much to spoil anyways. It is an animated feature! simple and straightforward. But it was also pretty entertaining!

Here is the first scene - the music and the colours set the standard for what was to come.

Besides all the hip-shaking toe-tapping finger-snapping songs, there was this rather nice slow one - sung by Jamie Foxx!

But what made us enjoy it was the fact that it was funny! Great cast, funny lines, wonderful characters! We had so many LOL moments in the movie. But that itself is it's weakness - cuz it was just a fun ride. Unlike the Pixar animations, this one seemed to lack some "heart". Sure there was the love story, and the plot involving the human-pet relationship. But no tearing moments - or close to it! Tears from too much laughing, yes! =)

Anyways, i have been trying to collect the Happy Meal toys!

But i've missed out on the most important characters - Blu and Jewel!!!! Anyone knows where i can get them?

*One of their most recognisable hits, taken from their album of the same name.

Let it be* - The Beatles

2011-04-19T02:06:00.000+01:00

It's coming to 4 years since papa left us. We have all moved on from that painful experience of seeing how he suddenly took the turn for worse and eventually passed away.

But there has always been one issue that i have kept with me all this time, something which i have not been able to fully let go of.

You see, my father's health did not just took a turn for worse out of the blue. It was as a result of a treatment that he received at the Sunway Medical Center. Yes, i'm saying out the name of the hospital openly.

I have always harboured the view that they could have been negligent - not so much with regards to the treatment but more to the advice that was given.

I am pretty sure that the doctor did not warn him of the particular complication which in fact did arise after the treatment. It was obvious as it took everyone by surprise. Even the doctor himself.

Recently, during a talk on Medical-Legal Health matters, this matter resurfaced again in my thoughts. Sure enough, in the Federal court case of Foo Fion Na v Dr Soo Fook Mun & Anor applied the test in the Australian case of Rogers v Whitaker and held that doctors are under a duty to inform their patients of the risk involved so that the patient can make an informed decision.

In my father's case, they did not inform him of the risk of what in fact did happened. The fact that the doctor himself was surprised when it happened and had to consult a more senior doctor on he matter showed that the doctor failed to discharge his duty.

So i had the law behind me. But i wasn't sure if i shud or not. The reality of being involved in litigation hit me. After all, i'll be going up against a huge private hospital who will no doubt have the best lawyers in town. I've seen many times how the rich can forced their opponents to withdraw their claims - solely by their ability to keep their lawyers going on for a long time, with interlocutory applications and appeals.

But perhaps, the most important consideration - which in fact decided the matter for me - was whether i wanted to put my family thru it. Especially my mom. This will reopen a lot of old wounds and hurts. We will all be forced to revisit arguably the most difficult time in our family's history. The pain will resurface again. The memories, tho have fallen deep, will surely be brought back up again.

My family has moved on. More importantly, me mom has moved on. Everyone was so concerned for her at that time - but thank God she managed to pick herself up and had the will to live again and move on. She is doing so well - more than we had imagined, thanks to God's healing powers.

At the end of the day, even if we win the case, what will we get in return? Money for sure. A sense of justice being served? The need to blame someone has been satisfied?

I looked at my family now and see we are well off - not in terms of money, but in terms of our wants and needs. They do not need this - they have moved one. Perhaps it is time for me to move on too... and just let it be.

*Their last single before the break-up of the group. Quite fitting, dun u think?

When the going gets tough, the tough get going* - Boyzone

2011-04-18T04:16:00.003+01:00

What a game!!!! I had given up catching and was going to bed when i heard my sis and mom coming upstairs. So that meant that i could watch the satellite TV!!!

It was such a nerve-wreaking game!!!! I was sure i would not have any nails left at the end of the game! And 7 minutes into the injury time, me heart was broken. A penalty was awarded to Arsenal - and they scored. Surely there was no coming back from that as there was only 8 minutes allocated for injury time. I switched off the tv and went up to sleep.

When i was at my room, i just checked my laptop to confirm the dreaded news - but there was a problem with the internet. when i could finally go back online, some curious sounding fb statuses caught my attention. Wait a minute.... I went to the sports website and sure enough, Liverpool equalised!!!!!! It was a Dirk Kuyt penalty 12 MINUTES into injury time!!!!

Can you imagine the immense pressure resting on his shoulders as he stepped out to take the penalty under such circumstances!!! But he tucked it away and Liverpool salvaged a much deserved draw - altho there were moments in the game when they could have won it too!

It was indeed a wonderful display of commitment and hard work. They were away from home, they ended the game with 4 teenagers playing due to the injuries suffered during the game:-

The 4 "J"s - Jonjo, Jay, John and Jack

All 3 subs were used to replaced injured players - while Arsenal made 3 tactical subs but all to no avail. Liverpool lost their captain too and then they were down 1-0 8 minutes into injury time.

But unlike me, they did not give up. They battled on. And they got what they deserved! It must have done well for the confidence of the young ones too - and bodes well for the future!

*Their remake of Billy Ocean's hit.

Ride on to die* - Michael Card

2011-04-18T00:38:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was Palm Sunday - marking the start of the Holy Week.

I really like this song - it captures the emotion of the moment, that while there is a celebratory mood among the people, Jesus knew what he was riding to.

Sense the sorrow untold, as you look down the road
At the clamoring crowd drawing near
Feel the heat of the day, as you look down the way
Hear the shouts of "Hosanna the King"

Oh, daughter of Zion your time's drawing near
Don't forsake Him, oh don't pass it by
On the foal of a donkey as the prophets had said
Passing by you, He rides on to die

Come now little foal, though you're not very old
Come and bear your first burden bravely
Walk so softly upon all the coats and the palms
Bare the One on your back oh so gently

Midst the shouting so loud and the joy of the crowd
There is One who is riding in silence
For He knows the ones here will be fleeing in fear
When their shepherd is taken away

Oh, daughter of Zion your time's drawing near
Don't forsake Him, oh don't pass it by
On the foal of a donkey as the prophets had said
Passing by you, He rides on to die

Soon the thorn cursed ground will bring forth a crown
And this Jesus will seem to be beaten
But He'll conquer alone both the shroud and the stone
And the prophesies will be completed

Oh, daughter of Zion your time's drawing near
Don't forsake Him, oh don't pass it by
On the foal of a donkey as the prophets had said
Passing by you, He rides on to die

On the foal of a donkey as the prophets had said
Passing by you He rides on to die

(Michael Card)

*Taken from his brilliant album Known By His Scars.

Just you wait* - Audrey Hepburn

2011-04-17T00:12:00.000+01:00

I can't deny that i feel sad. How can evil seem to prosper? I echo the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 73v3-12:-

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, “How would God know?Does the Most High know anything?”
This is what the wicked are like — always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

But i am not too down. For the same reason why the Psalmist also is not disheartened. he goes on to say in verses 16-19:-

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

I look at their smiles and their present happiness - but i know that God is righteous and just. Woe will befall these evil people, as predicted in Isaiah 10v1-4:-

Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees,
to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.
What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?
Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

Yes, the Lord will avenge his people - that's a certainty. The evil may seem to get away with it for now - but eventually, they will pay for their sins, for all the evil they did to the weak and oppressed. God promised this in Deut 32:35:-

It is mine to avenge; I will repay.
In due time their foot will slip;
their day of disaster is near
and their doom rushes upon them.

Amen, Thy will be done, Lord.

*Taken from the soundtrack of My Fair Lady. Although she was cast as Eliza in My Fair Lady, this was the only song of Eliza's that was not dubbed over.

I still haven't found what I'm looking for* - U2

2011-04-16T08:39:00.002+01:00

Went to S'pore recently. Had a really good time! You can read about it here.

But the main disappointment was that i did not find something that i hoped to when i got there. I was looking for Jewel's latest album:-

It's quite sad cuz her recent albums have not been sold in M'sia. Before Sweet and Wild, Lullaby was also not found here - and i only got it from HMV at Hong Kong!

I was hoping that HMV S'pore would have it but they did not even have her older albums. So sad...

Thankfully, there is YouTube!!!! =) Heard most of her songs there edi. Love it! Would love to get the album tho. Am still looking for it.

But for now, i'll just have to settle for the clips on YouTube. Quite good too cuz they have versions not found on the album - like this acoustic version of "What you are":-

*One of their well known hits. Brilliant stuffs!

Again and again* - Jewel

2011-04-15T10:14:00.002+01:00

Watched this last Sunday.

It was pretty entertaining! Basically, the premise was what if one could be sent back to experience the last 8 minutes of another person's life. I dun think it makes sense - but i could be wrong. In any event, it really shouldn't distract the viewer from enjoying a pretty good movie.

So Jake Gyllenhaal's character was sent back into the body of a victim who died in a terrorist attack on a train. Having only 8 minutes, he has very little time to find out details about the attack in order to prevent another one that is imminent. So he gets sent back again and again and again and again... until he manages to find out who the bomber is!

But it is not just about that - another all action anti-terrorist movie. Go watch it cuz it asked some really pertinent moral questions - and as usual, the question of what can we allow ourselves to do in order to save the lives of many. Do the ends ever justify the means? Are we allowed to do bad things in order to achieve good results?

I like movies which forces me to think about issues like this!

But on top of that, it was very interesting and thrilling - and we are drawn together with Jake's character in trying to find out who the bomber is as more and more evidence is revealed each time he travels back.

On top of that, i've always been a great fan of Jake as well as Michelle Monaghan - both of whom did not disappoint me at all!

Entertaining, thought-provoking, good acting. What more do you want from a movie?

Oh yeah - Russell Peters appears in the movie too!!!

The first single from her Goodbye Alice in Wonderland album, one of her best songs IMHO.

Who's that girl* - Madonna

2011-04-14T04:59:00.003+01:00

Was listening to this as a consolation for not being able to attend the Script's concert on Tuesday. This is good or what?

Was also listening to this girl:-

Good-eh?

*From the soundtrack of the movie of the same name.

Dear father* - Madonna

2011-04-01T10:33:00.009+01:00

Barney: I´m never gonna talk to my dad again

Marshall: No Barney. *I* am never gonna talk to my dad again, but *your* dad is alive and he lives just down the road

HIMYM S06E19

Been thinking about my pa lately. Coincidence? I was talking to tGiF the other night when i started to tell her about pa. She was impressed at how he managed to provide for all of us despite having only a lowly job. He managed to ensure that we have a car and a house, send me overseas to study...

I told tGiF that he prolly loved me the most. But we never really got that close - when i was younger, he'd be working and when he gets home, he has to cook for us all. Then he'd be really tired at nite. When i got older, i never really stayed home much.

I hold him in very high estimation. He loved us so much!

When i got home that nite, my neighbour started talking to me - and out of the blue, she told me that my father was a good man. And she has heard it from others too.

Yes, he was. No doubt.

Flowers for me dad today

I only wished i had expressly told him that when he was still alive...

An unreleased song of hers that was supposed to be on the Erotica album.

Rush rush* - Paula Abdul

2011-03-24T13:15:00.002+01:00

Everything is done in a rush these days.

i wake up and rush to get ready to go to work.

i then rush to get to work on time.

i rush from one class to another meeting.

i rush to get home.

i rush to finish off everything to get to bed so that i can sleep on time.

and the cycle resumes...

i sometimes get to wake up earlier and go for a run - but even then, i have to rush to finish my run to get back and shower and change - to rush off to work.

i miss those days when i could take my time, and warm down after a run. i even had time back then to drive to the Subang Park to run. After the run, i'll usually sit by the lake and just watch life pass by until the day slow winds to an end.

i used to even have time to take some photos after my runs those days!!!

no such luxury these days. Even blogging is a rush... gtg. Need to sleep!

*Her 1st single from her 2nd album, played a lot over the local radio the year when i moved to Subang.

Sacrifice* - Elton John

2011-03-22T10:52:00.004+01:00

Being in a couple is hard. And committing, making sacrifices; it's hard. But if it's the right person, then it's easy. Looking at that girl and knowing she's all you really want out of life, that should be the easiest thing in the world. And if it's not like that, then she's not the one.

Marshall 'Marshmallow' Eriksen (HIMYM S01E12)

I posted this quote in 18 August 2009. I stumbled across it again recently - when i was looking thru my blog, thinking of the memories tGiF and i shared. Why the sudden trip down memory lane? Well, it has been 2 years since we got together. Yes, there has been sacrifices - but looking back, it giving those things were easy. I do not miss them, i do not long for them - for what i have gained is so so so much more!

I love you, dear!

*This was partly inspired by the Aretha Franklin song "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man".

Keep the faith* - Bon Jovi

2011-03-20T14:03:00.003+01:00

I found this post in my drafts folder. It was empty save for the title and this pic:-

This pic was actually one of the last slides i used for my last sermon some time last year. The sermon was based on 1 Samuel 31.

Basically, it was about the death of King Saul, the first king of Israel. He died a sad, lonely, tragic and violent death - and the Bible tells us that the reason was because he was unfaithful to the Lord (1 Chronicles 10:13).

In my sermon, i traced back to his past, how he started so well as king! But soon after, he started turning away from God.

He was given many chances in his lifetime - but altho he felt regret at times, he never really repented. And his end was sad.

I was sharing about how important it is to remain faithful - all the way. It was a good reminder for myself. The journey of life is a long race. A good start is important but that is not enough. I hope i will always remember that - to indeed keep the faith and finish the race well.

It is only by his grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that i can achieve that.

*The title track of their 5th studio album

Always* - Bon Jovi

2011-03-19T16:42:00.002+01:00

Love always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor 13:7)

*Their best selling single!

I feel the earth move* - Martika

2011-03-18T07:27:00.008+01:00

A lot has been said about the recent earthquake in Japan. We have seen the aftermath where the tidal waves swept in at an alarming speed and clearing everything in its path.

Our hearts and prayers goes out to the Japanese.

Pic taken from wallpapers123.in

The earthquake brought to mind some Bible verses. It was a really bad one - extremely high on the Richter scale. The highest i have ever heard being reported. It is indeed scary.

But Isaiah 5 tells us that when God unleashes his anger, even the mountains will shake! See Isaiah 5:25.

This is a reminder for me that while God is love, there must always be a fearful reverence towards him - and that would necessarily include a true repentance of sins.

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

Aren't we thankful to Jesus for paying the price of sins for us? I am!

*Her remake of the Carole King's classic.

I'm like a bird* - Nelly Furtado

2011-03-17T10:02:00.003+01:00

Yes, i am like a bird! Well, more like a swan - doesn't matter if it's black or white (let's not turn this into a race issue!).

Or a duck - no, not the roasted kind.

This kind:-

These birds glide so smoothly - and at times, even elegantly across the water - but we never see how much they are kicking under the water to stay afloat and move.

*Her first song which made me a fan!

Stop and stare* - OneRepublic

2011-03-16T10:48:00.004+01:00

Been so busy - and resulting in feeling so so tired. Being deprived of a basic human right - the right to leisure.

I just wish i could go fly away, and just rest. Take time to let life pass by without having to juggle so many things at the same time.

I thought of this following poem(?) which i blogged about in one of my old blogs.

Leisure by William Henry Davies

What is this life, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stop and stare

Pic taken during one of the moments in my life when i could do was just to sit and stare! (taken near the tip of Borneo in Sabah).

*Their 2nd single from their debut album, this was used in one of the episodes of Smallville (in season 7).