Silent Night* - Bibiana and Francesca Peter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.