Teacher’s Day

I have always loved the notion of having Teacher’s Day to celebrate the beautiful work these great bunch of people do to nurture and guide us towards where we are going, to get to where we are today.

There’s always this little thing in me that’s wondering, “how do they do it?”. It is more than a gift. It is a calling, a vocation. A calling to guide the young. A calling to impart knowledge. A calling to serve as a witness to a child/teen’s growth in life.

I wouldn’t say all teachers who are teaching are actually the ones who are really called (okay, so I am being mean here but it’s true)… but I have been priviledged, and blessed to have quite a few of these great ones who really deserve the shout-out this special day.

I still remember the little things that they would use to help us remember for the exams, and you would see the result of this during the exam itself when everyone would be doing the same thing so that they can recall that topic and answer the exam question (which was also quite a joke because you knew what questions were being answered by which student!).

Then there’d be those teachers who teach you as a real professional. those who would teach you and that ends your relationship with them. You are their student. They are your teachers and there should not be any other dealings. On the other hand, there are also those teachers you would see stretching their hand beyond what’s expected of them. They reach out to help the students in their personal life because they see the connection between a healthy personal/family life and achieving good results. So they lend their ears, and they lend their heart, more importantly, they sacrifice the time.

I know I have definitely been touched by the sheer commitment of some teachers who have taught me. I know that a large part of who I am today (discount the family) is really due to the guidance and the love that I have received from those few teachers whom I still keep in touch with up till today.

It really goes to show that Teachers are an integral part of our society and really, are not appreciated enough in this world. For this, I’m glad that there is a special day for them in S’pore.

So to all you teachers, Happy Teachers’ Day!

And to the few teachers who have helped build that strong foundation in my life (you know who you are!)… thank YOU for being such a blessing.

oxox

The Beauty of Action

It’s really no use just talking it up and assume that things will be all beautiful when you wake up from your sleep the next morning. That is one thing I have learnt. It’s the courage to just do it, even if you don’t have anyone with you, even tho’ you might not stand to gain much from it, but if you really love it and you wanna do it, then you should really go do it!!

Time brings about things that only age will be able to unravel. Certain things are never meant for us to know until a certain time because God wants us to have a certain amount of maturity. That’s what I think anyway.

If there’s anything I have realised, I am now more certain of the people whom I really do love deep in my heart – these are the people whom I know I will probably be looking at holding my hand when I need someone to support me whilst crossing the street. Or perhaps it’s just my mentality. Maybe I have grown up. Finally. I don’t sulk over petty stuff, and I don’t get angry over the littlest things. Rather, I cool down and I re-assess the situation so that I don’t over-react.

Joanna Wang is my new favourite artist for now. Her soothing voice just sends me sentimental – a place where I’ve been staying away for a while now. So it’s really rather refreshing.

If there’s anything I have learnt, I have learnt to be thankful. Well, more thankful from the heart without having to boast about it.

For Good

This is one of those song that will touch you through and through if it does, and mean absolutely (well not that extreme) nothing if it doesn’t. that’s my opinion anyway. I have definitely been touched by this simpe song coming from a really simple musical.

For Good – Wicked OST

(Elphaba):
I’m limited
Just look at me – I’m limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do, Glinda
So now it’s up to you
For both of us – now it’s up to you…

(Glinda):
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend…

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both):
Who can say if I’ve been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you…

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you…

(Both):
Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good…

A tribute to MJ

I grew up on his music, I saw my sister go nuts by going to his concert a day before her final exams. I was in constant awe of his dance moves and his compassion. I felt sad when allegations started cracking him down on child molestation. I felt sad that people didn’t seem to leave him alone and let him just go on with life as a person – as a human being.

That said, here is a person who created a completely different style of music that he can call his own. He created dance moves that were like no other. He was born to change the world, few thousand hearts at a time. From great classics like “Ben” to the heart wrenching “Heal The World”… it is songs like that, that really gave me the hope that the world still is has a heart of its own and we still have compassion in our hearts. He was a legend. He was a King in his own right.

And now he’s going to join our ultimate King up there, and he’s going to make such great music for God to hear. And dance for that matter.

RIP MJ. You’ll be missed in this world.

A song that I always love to dwell on when a person passes on:

Shine Your Light – Robbie Robertson (CLICK)

The cry of the city like a siren’s song
Wailing over the rooftops the whole night long
Saw a shooting star like a diamond in the sky
Must be someone’s soul passing by

These are the streets
Where we used to run where your Papa’s from
These are the days
Where you become what you become
These are the streets
Where the story’s told
The truth unfolds
Darkness settles in

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you’re gone
Give me the strength
To carry on, carry on

Don’t wanna be a hero
Just an everyday man
Trying to do the job the very best he can
But now it’s like living on borrowed time
Out on the rim, over the line
Always tempting fate like a game of chance
Never wanna stick around to the very last dance
Sometimes i stumble and take a hard fall
Lose hold your grip off the wall

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you’re gone
Give me the strength to carry on
Carry on

I thought i saw him walking by the side of the road
Maybe trying to find his way home

He’s here but not here
He’s gone but not gone
Just hope he knows if I get lost

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you’re gone
Give me the strength to carry on
To carry on

Receive the Power

Verse 1
Every nation, every tribe,
come together to worship You.
In Your presence we delight,
we will follow to the ends of the earth.

Chorus
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power to be a light unto the world!

Verse 2
As Your Spirit calls to rise
we will answer and do Your Will.
We’ll forever testify
of Your mercy and unfailing love.

Chorus
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power to be a light unto the world!

Bridge
Lamb of God, we worship You,
Holy One, we worship You,
Bread of Life, we worship You,
Emmanuel, we worship You.

Lamb of God, we worship You,
Holy One, we worship You,
Bread of Life, we worship You,
Emmanuel, we will sing forever.

Chorus
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power, from the Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Receive the Power to be a light unto the world!

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers, the flower fades… But the word of God stands forever…

Inspired

Amazing Grace

I have no idea who did this version (it did say Rockapella but I had my doubts after doing some research). I thought this would be a great song to share. May it inspire you in the same way it did to me – or even more.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me….

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

T’was Grace that taught…

my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear…

the hour I first believed.

 

Through many dangers, toils and snares…

we have already come.

T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far…

and Grace will lead us home.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years…

bright shining as the sun.

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise…

then when we’ve first begun.

 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me….

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

Demoralised

There was always this hope in me that a good job in what I do is all I need to do at work. If I do it right, I behave according to the morals and principles that I have been taught, it will all be okay. Not everything is so simple, is it?

I have had to cover my ass twice this week for things I never did. One with an internal colleague (more like manager whom I don’t really respect)… another with the client… a client whom I have come to respect over time. Maybe it’s all misunderstandings, but it does show what a nasty world we all belong to. A world where anything can happen because of the element of greed. To be able to survive, one must be able to get past the dog-eat-dog way of life – one must be fully able to have a split personality – one that is used solely for the working world, and one for home. The persona at work will probably be someone that will not even be recognisable to people at home… this is the extreme case of course… but well, how else can we live a life that we’re supposed to.

Let them slap the right cheek if they have slapped the left… but seriously, how would we be able to survive in the working world if we do that?

It boggles the mind. A lot. And with my motivation to work for this client become increasingly low… I am starting to think if a big change is coming for me in terms of my career.

And it always happens this way… just when I am getting comfortable with my life, something strikes, leaving me bouncing around the hot seat… awaiting for the next iron to be placed. I guess this is the way life goes, isn’t it? Gotta tough it a little before we can make it to the end point.

The challenge is not really in crossing the barrier… the challenge is really to cross the barrier with faith, and to act the way we Christians should act in times of hardship/turmoil.

Life goes on though, and tomorrow shall be a better day, next week a better week, and things will start taking shape again.

Memoirs from Melbourne

It has been a trip full of emotions, full of thoughts, but more importantly, a trip that I do not regret taking despite the little hiccups that occurred throughout the trip with the folks.

Much more than anything, this trip has made me realise how much the folks have aged over the years. I haven’t taken a trip with them in ages because each time we go on a holiday, it’s either me going on my own, or them going on their own. It must have been about 3-4 years since our last holiday together.

The first day was quite a challenge with all of us tired from the flight… and we had all kinds of disagreements. But the thing that hit me the most was how mom had aged, with her knee giving her so much problems that she wasn’t able to walk for the whole trip – something that made her feel bad and made me feel sad.

Dad on the other hand, as strong as he was physically, have slowed down rather dramatically in his mental state. He took a while to respond to navigation instructions, and was just generally slow in response for most things.

In a way, I saw it not only as a break for me from the life in Perth, but it was also God’s way of telling me that time flies, and people do grow old, and that it is during these times that we really should pay more attention to our parents – not to take them for granted. This rang true particularly for mom. I could sense how much she wanted to join me in the things I had wanted to do but because she was unable to walk – it made it difficult for us to plan our trip and our daily activities given the limitations of not being to walk much.

I am glad I took this trip because I don’t know whether mom will be able to take a trip overseas for a while – until she gets her knee healed, which I am praying will happen soon.

Then of course, there is the meet-ups with the friends who I got to know during their stints in Perth – two from work, and one from church. I reckon the most beautiful thing is how we managed to meet twice!! Except for Yoda But that’s okay. We can always arrange for something else.

The way the dinner with the guys turned out was certainly something that I didn’t expect – especially because of the fact that I never considered myself to be particularly close to them… maybe the Yoda, but not so the Wookie. It was a pleasant surprise to see how easy it was for us to talk to each other and it was lovely  to be treated like a lady with these two guys – something rather rare for me. Wookie surprised me even further by offering to walk me back to the hotel that night, before he took a cab home. Sweetness. The heart was warm. And no, I am not interested in him, altho’ I reckon he’s pretty hawt

Speaking of hawt – after Wookie walked me back, we waited for a cab for Wookie and guess who stepped out of the cab for Wookie to get in?? ANDREW G!!!!! =)) For those who might not know, Andrew G hosts the Australian Idol contest over here, and he’s the cuter of the two I reckon =X

Anyway… it was lovely catching up with the two blokes… and it was even lovelier having Wookie walk me back to the hotel. Thankful.

The meet-up that was most meaningful was definitely the one with J.  After a long 3 years, we finally got to meet on Saturday morning (well almost afternoon =P) … and spent the whole day together in much fun and excitement, from lunch, to shopping, to dinner, to WICKED! (which I WILL talk about later). Words cannot truly describe the warmth I felt during the time out with this friend-turned-confidant. It made me realise how much writing to each other has actually managed to bring our hearts/souls closer together in a way that only God can make happen. There wasn’t a moment of awkwardness – something that could possibly happen because of how long it’s been since two friends saw each other. There was this innate understanding of each other’s thoughts. Something special.

Then we met up again on the Monday for dinner, in which she brought me to this fabulous steakhouse where I was treated to a nice piece of awesome cow – topped with a nice bottle of James Squire Amber Ale, and a glass of Merlot. Then I was treated to the famous Max Brenner’s hot chocolate – in which I ordered a dark-orange hot choc, and boy… it was good shit.

So to J:
Thank you, my dearest friend for spending the time out with me both on Saturday and Monday. It was lovely and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything else in this world! I can’t wait for you to return to beautiful Perth and we can head down South to make even more trouble. You are definitely one special friend whom I’m thankful to God for blessing me with.

Now, WICKED.

To those in Melbourne and have yet to catch this musical – you are missing out on such a great show!!! Absolutely fantastic with such a beautiful storyline behind the oddities (is there such a word? tee hee) here and there… and what I have heard about this musical all came through – things like having hardly any talk throughout the whole musical – that is, the whole musical is really sung, more than anything, making it even more enjoyable because the tune brings out the true feeling of what’s meant to be projected.

I had listened to the songs before I went to watch the musical, and already had favourites… but after watching, I still like one or two that I liked before but now, there’s only one particular song that bears special feelings:

For Good – Wicked Soundtrack (<– Click for Music)

(Elphaba):
I’m limited
Just look at me – I’m limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do, Glinda
So now it’s up to you
For both of us – now it’s up to you…

(Glinda):
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend…
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both):
Who can say if I’ve been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you…

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you…

(Both):
Because I knew you…

I have been changed for good…

This song had special meaning to me for some reason… maybe because friends who have been in my life always seem come and go for the strangest of reasons. I won’t deny that I am somewhat thankful for the exit of some of these friends… because it is thru’ the experiences with them that I am made me the person I am today – somewhat stronger and tougher on the exterior, but with a soft flesh within. In any case, do take the time to listen to it because it is a really beautifully written song, and it made me tear during the musical. Not many songs have that special capability.

So… to everyone out there – WICKED The Musical is a MUST WATCH!!

 

The rest of the trip was quite the usual… went around to the various eateries, which I am contemplating on doing an exclusive “Melbourne Extravaganza Special” post on the food blog! Hmm. will be quite a bit of work, but why not?

 

The markets were brilliant (I seem to fall in love with all these little markets around the world.. the same thing happened when I visited my sister in Boulder… I was willing to forgo other things but I had to see the market)… and the shopping is definitely a true haven for those shoppaholics. I am not one for that unfortunately, tho’ I was rather amused at the shops along Brunswick Street. I love Lygon Street for it’s Italian feel too.

 

Melbourne grows on people. You wouldn’t get too great an impression when you first arrive because of how gloomy and strange the weather patterns are. The drivers are not exactly the friendliest in the world, but there are definitely worser ones around… It is only over the next couple of days as you dive in and soak yourself in the culture that you truly understand why there’s so much to love about Melbourne. The little corners where you wouldn’t expect anything of has the best restaurants settling there, and the tiniest places can be made into the most extravagant places to dine. People are generally friendly, and funnily enough… I had a few rather odd encounters whilst dining, which left me thinking, “wow…” … but maybe it was just me.

 

Anyhoo, it was definitely a trip that I never regret organising… it’s brought me closer to mom in a special way too… and it’s made me realise the bond and love we have between us all over again… =)

 

Blessed.

1 more day

Now I am really gettin’ excited for the Melbourne trip, albeit a little sentimental about leaving the people I love here in Perth.

I somehow seem to get this round of sentimental soreness in me whenever I am about to travel. I used to think it was because the trips I took were long (the last two have been about a month each time I left)… but I’m starting to get that same feeling for this trip too. Weird, but it kinda brings me back to the reality of knowing (if not already realised) who are really the ones whom I do care (deeply) about… and it seems to change each time I go away.

Perhaps it’s the time lapse between each holiday. Perhaps it’s how life really is – all about changes. Afterall, the only constant thing in life is CHANGE.

Today was a rather bad day at work. But God helped me through it. It was the first time I had to get to the toilet to wipe my tears that were on the verge of rolling down my cheeks. It was the first time I had to go to the toilet to get my face washed so that I could get a hold of myself and my emotions. But I got through it by the grace of God and by the support of the lovely people around me – D.A.W (altho’ we did have a little hiccup of our own), S.K (as always ), and D.P. I don’t really know what came over me but there was a sense of panic and urgency in the thing that i was supposed to do and for some unknown reason, people started hounding me with all sorts of questions, one after another, causing me to be unable to concentrate on the task I was meant to finish by mid-afternoon (i.e. about 3pm).

But it was done nevertheless. Then I realised - this job doesn’t only depend on me. It relies on other people who for some reason, don’t seem to understand the criticality of the project. they don’t seem to see the point of having the project performed and finished in time, and on budget. right now we are both – as long as we don’t screw up tomorrow. And being the control freak that I am, I really want to make sure we have everything ready to go by COB tomorrow, and I will be really peeved if I left for Melbourne without knowing it got to the client. Yes, I might be taking this a little too seriously, but that’s just me. It’s my principles. R.H. and myself spoke about why people can’t seem to grasp the importance of certain things, and we concluded that it boiled down to principles. It was first thought of as the level of responsibility being placed on the person – but strictly speaking, anyone with the proper principles will understand the criticality and get stuff sorted out. That’s manners. That’s just a professional etiquette that we should abide by in general. Or is it not?

Anyway, I am hoping  (and praying) we will get all things sorted out sometime tomorrow. I hope and pray that the reviews for the two other documents I have are not as bad as the review I had for my document today.

1 more day and I get to rest – sorta.

2 more days till I get to see J – a friend turned confidant whom I haven’t seen in about 2 years.

couple more days till I get to see the wookie! and hopefully the Yoda

couple more days till I get to dine in a Tram Restaurant.

1 more day till I get to see Melbourne – the food capital of Australia.

The only thing I am not really looking forward to – the weather.

I will miss the weather here, and I will miss some of the people here. Most noticeably – D.A.W and S.K for sure. I know it’s only 9 days. But I do have my sentimental phases, so let me be.

Today I started realising the whole swine flu problem that’s going on in the world might actually be the prediction of a ‘end-time witness’ that wrote a book. So I went to read it again it seems to be happening – from the economic upheaval to the death that we see… it seems so real. And it brings me to think I should just really live life like it was the last day of my life every day. tough to do, but doable. And it is probably even tougher to live it in a Godly manner as tho’ it’s the last day of my life everyday – but no harm to try.

Good news received today too – S.K and D.P might be going to Singapore around the same time as me! WHEE.

S.K.!!! I miss the sessions at our pub. meh…

Oh wells. time to crash. Till I’m back from Melbourne, cheerios you faithful readers!

I leave you with a song that always leave me feeling fuzzy inside…

Alone Again Naturally – Vonda Shepard (CLICK!)