Saturday blew me away.
I'll spare everyone the usual sad talk and launch into the reason why my faith has been given a boost.
Apparently, someone i know just a little, came up to me, in obedience (she was told by the youth pastor to come to me) and prayed for me.
Me: Just curious. Why did you come to pray for me?
J: Honestly, it was actually Pastor E.
Me: Really?
J: He told me, "Go and pray for this girl."
This is the second time in my life so far, that someone has been prompted to pray for me.
The first time someone did, she had tears in her eyes and she prayed something REAL specific too, with reference to an issue i had during that time.
Which was a long time ago.
So when this happens, it always means something special, personal and unique to me.
When she prayed she then said to me, that she was given a word/vision from the Lord which was of a "Locked Door".
She asked me if it meant anything to me.
WHICH DID, A WHOLE LOT.
Won't go into details here. Maybe not yet. Because it involves lots of outpourings.
But for now, i can say that being where i am in the Urban Race (youth portion of church), is where i should be... it's the right place to be.
- Growing in the spirit,
- questioning and learning,
- being refreshed by the insight of others,
- being ministered to by the elders in church,
- having more Christian brothers and sisters who're there to give support,
- and of course, being there to be of service to others who need help,
- to learn what it means to be a servant.
I am reassured by God, that i am someone in His eyes.
In recent days, i have been witnessing a number of small of interesting things from the Lord and i hope that as i continue to pursue God and serving Him, He would reveal Himself to me.
I hope that these are signs of the ball rolling.A start of a great and deep jouney with my God.
I want to leave my old way of life on the ground in a pile, and walk away from it, hand in hand with my Lord.
No more do i want to continue living in a life of uncertainty.
But i want one filled with genuine love for God and with that genuine drive to serve Him because i know God so personally and i want to do His will.
And when i share the good news with others, i can confidently say that i know and love this God of mine.
How can i reach out in Christ's love if i have no idea what it is or means?
I hope that in due time, all that i've been through, will be used for God's glory, for His purposes.
That whatever that He had me go through, would be used as a living testimony for sharing with others what God is about.
Till Then.
*I've got a message that God sent someone to tell me. How cool is that.*
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
A little clearer.
COOS Tertiary Camp
Mostly, it was a great time of mixing around, cell with cell, with the current undergrads getting to know who the future cell supervisor would be and just getting orientated.
Course there was that one or two, "forever-young" types who came to join in the fun.
Most of us have seen each other before in church and some might've already forged friendships.
But i guess this's just a more formal-informal way to getting/forcing everyone to mingle.
Can't say it was a bad thing. I'm glad i went because it was short and sweet, power packed with enough social stimulation.
And of COURSE, not forgetting the worship we had and moments for reflection and discussion.
Speaking from a recluse-but-actually-a-hidden-extrovert's point of view, you'd better believe it.
But that aside.
*SWOOOSH* (big huge broom to swept the frill away in one gargantuan effort)
What really stayed with me from that camp is the confirmation that i have that God is real and He is my personal Lord.
We had invited an ex-NTU cell leader, LS, to give us a short message for the morning's devotion.
I've to admit that it wasn't so much the message itself that spoke to me.
But it was what was REQUIRED of me and hence the reflection afterward that brought things into focus.
She spoke about "Abiding in Christ". The analogy goes like this:
Jesus is the vine and we, as Christians, are the branches that span out from Him.
We ought to live our lives as living branches, not dead ones that only look pretty with the visage but are actually useless.
By abiding in Christ, we rely our all on Him. And from there, He uses us in seasons of our lives to bear His "fruit".
These fruits we are referring to could be, a fruit of the spirit, like, "kindness", "gentleness", "self-control", etc.
Or, it could come in the form of us perhaps helping someone find God and in due time, this person will come to know the Lord.
And other things.
It is like God doing his work in us, anything, when we rely on Him, so that in due time, we blossom and display His beauty and/or His work in this way.
So, as i sat down alone to pray... I felt really empty, rather useless. I felt like a peanut amongst everyone else in the room. I felt unworthy of God. I felt so small.
To cut the long story short. After our group discussion and sharing, we split up to just uplift one another in prayer.
And all i can say is, when LS, this very anointed sister prayed over me, i just cried.
Everything that she said, just every point in her prayer was so specific to me that i couldn't help but feel touched in my spirit and i just felt hot tears fall.
It's not everyday that you have someone say something SO SPECIFIC even without having to tell her everything.
When we broke camp, i decided that i had to speak to her because i had so many burning questions and i felt really drawn to speaking to her.
It was great seeing that she was edified and me blessed, in the whole process.
One thing she said that i will not forget:
"When i pray, I try my best to rely on the same Holy Spirit that lives in you and me."
The whole thing was confirmation for me as i came to realise: GOSH, i am not all alone... We are all running the same race and we all face the same struggles as Christians living this life in this crazy world.
God is real and no matter what i might think, He has a lot more capabilities than i credit Him with!
Another wonderful thing was that, on the first day, we had a few people who weren't in the best of health, so during our committee debriefing, we just prayed over them to be healed.
And yeah! They got better overnight!
Praise God. :-)
Truly thankful that it has ministered to me (and i know others too) meaningfully.
In time, i hope that the many other youths, or just EVERYONE, will be richly blessed in spirit the same way, or even MORE, than i have been.
*** ***
Have i been too rough with my new phone? The joystick isn't working too swell these days or is the phone just laggy.
I need participants for my upcoming psychological experiment.
Where art thou?
Till Then.
*i wuv psych*
Mostly, it was a great time of mixing around, cell with cell, with the current undergrads getting to know who the future cell supervisor would be and just getting orientated.
Course there was that one or two, "forever-young" types who came to join in the fun.
Most of us have seen each other before in church and some might've already forged friendships.
But i guess this's just a more formal-informal way to getting/forcing everyone to mingle.
Can't say it was a bad thing. I'm glad i went because it was short and sweet, power packed with enough social stimulation.
And of COURSE, not forgetting the worship we had and moments for reflection and discussion.
Speaking from a recluse-but-actually-a-hidden-extrovert's point of view, you'd better believe it.
But that aside.
*SWOOOSH* (big huge broom to swept the frill away in one gargantuan effort)
What really stayed with me from that camp is the confirmation that i have that God is real and He is my personal Lord.
We had invited an ex-NTU cell leader, LS, to give us a short message for the morning's devotion.
I've to admit that it wasn't so much the message itself that spoke to me.
But it was what was REQUIRED of me and hence the reflection afterward that brought things into focus.
She spoke about "Abiding in Christ". The analogy goes like this:
Jesus is the vine and we, as Christians, are the branches that span out from Him.
We ought to live our lives as living branches, not dead ones that only look pretty with the visage but are actually useless.
By abiding in Christ, we rely our all on Him. And from there, He uses us in seasons of our lives to bear His "fruit".
These fruits we are referring to could be, a fruit of the spirit, like, "kindness", "gentleness", "self-control", etc.
Or, it could come in the form of us perhaps helping someone find God and in due time, this person will come to know the Lord.
And other things.
It is like God doing his work in us, anything, when we rely on Him, so that in due time, we blossom and display His beauty and/or His work in this way.
So, as i sat down alone to pray... I felt really empty, rather useless. I felt like a peanut amongst everyone else in the room. I felt unworthy of God. I felt so small.
To cut the long story short. After our group discussion and sharing, we split up to just uplift one another in prayer.
And all i can say is, when LS, this very anointed sister prayed over me, i just cried.
Everything that she said, just every point in her prayer was so specific to me that i couldn't help but feel touched in my spirit and i just felt hot tears fall.
It's not everyday that you have someone say something SO SPECIFIC even without having to tell her everything.
When we broke camp, i decided that i had to speak to her because i had so many burning questions and i felt really drawn to speaking to her.
It was great seeing that she was edified and me blessed, in the whole process.
One thing she said that i will not forget:
"When i pray, I try my best to rely on the same Holy Spirit that lives in you and me."
The whole thing was confirmation for me as i came to realise: GOSH, i am not all alone... We are all running the same race and we all face the same struggles as Christians living this life in this crazy world.
God is real and no matter what i might think, He has a lot more capabilities than i credit Him with!
Another wonderful thing was that, on the first day, we had a few people who weren't in the best of health, so during our committee debriefing, we just prayed over them to be healed.
And yeah! They got better overnight!
Praise God. :-)
Truly thankful that it has ministered to me (and i know others too) meaningfully.
In time, i hope that the many other youths, or just EVERYONE, will be richly blessed in spirit the same way, or even MORE, than i have been.
*** ***
Have i been too rough with my new phone? The joystick isn't working too swell these days or is the phone just laggy.
I need participants for my upcoming psychological experiment.
Where art thou?
Till Then.
*i wuv psych*
Thursday, February 24, 2005
*stares ahead*
1.
Forrest Gump to Jenny: I may not be a smart man... But i know what love is...
(or to that effect)
I wish i had the priviledge of knowing what love is.
Then again, i do know. In black and white text, that is.
We've heard many versions. We've thought we felt it.
I want to know it inside out.
I wonder if "love" to a person with IQ 70 is actually a very simple and straight forward concept indeed.
Maybe we complicate it.
Does the love a child has for his mother (don't give me that Freudian stuff) share the same basis as the love a couple share?
Love.
The 4 letter word that boggles many and even joggles scientists into research.
Sometimes i wonder if it was strong feelings or love.
A friend told me, we'll never know what love is till we know and feel God's love.
Or rather, we cannot love another until we have experienced the love of God.
Can human love be as perfect as that? Even for a moment?
Will all of our striving ever lead to at least near or perfect love?
(right, i know that it sounds like a straight answer is due.)
But, or ok, how about "True love", as we put it more commonly. Heard of that right.
We've heard some really good stuff.
I know so little...
I have insufficient knowledge of such, i shall hesitate to comment further.
2.
People i know who live through or are living through tough circumstances or are depressed/angry/jaded/... inside, seem to have a mighty load of insight into life and many other aspects of existence and the world around them.
Much to say about that but i will zip.
3.
It's that time of the year again, when deep cognitive aspects from history act up.
But i must say, it isn't half as bad as last year.
4.
Tell me, guys.
When you are with a girl (someone that you actually have designs on), and then you happen to see an attractive girl go by and decide to watch her.
What goes through your mind?
Hm, girls, what say you.
***
My lappie has died. Hard drive is down. Rats.
Using the dad's comp isn't a liberating experience so...
Oh well.
Till i can get my lappie done, i guess blogging down my thoughts anytime i want will no longer be convenient for now.
Off to musical enlightenment.
Forrest Gump to Jenny: I may not be a smart man... But i know what love is...
(or to that effect)
I wish i had the priviledge of knowing what love is.
Then again, i do know. In black and white text, that is.
We've heard many versions. We've thought we felt it.
I want to know it inside out.
I wonder if "love" to a person with IQ 70 is actually a very simple and straight forward concept indeed.
Maybe we complicate it.
Does the love a child has for his mother (don't give me that Freudian stuff) share the same basis as the love a couple share?
Love.
The 4 letter word that boggles many and even joggles scientists into research.
Sometimes i wonder if it was strong feelings or love.
A friend told me, we'll never know what love is till we know and feel God's love.
Or rather, we cannot love another until we have experienced the love of God.
Can human love be as perfect as that? Even for a moment?
Will all of our striving ever lead to at least near or perfect love?
(right, i know that it sounds like a straight answer is due.)
But, or ok, how about "True love", as we put it more commonly. Heard of that right.
We've heard some really good stuff.
I know so little...
I have insufficient knowledge of such, i shall hesitate to comment further.
2.
People i know who live through or are living through tough circumstances or are depressed/angry/jaded/... inside, seem to have a mighty load of insight into life and many other aspects of existence and the world around them.
Much to say about that but i will zip.
3.
It's that time of the year again, when deep cognitive aspects from history act up.
But i must say, it isn't half as bad as last year.
4.
Tell me, guys.
When you are with a girl (someone that you actually have designs on), and then you happen to see an attractive girl go by and decide to watch her.
What goes through your mind?
Hm, girls, what say you.
***
My lappie has died. Hard drive is down. Rats.
Using the dad's comp isn't a liberating experience so...
Oh well.
Till i can get my lappie done, i guess blogging down my thoughts anytime i want will no longer be convenient for now.
Off to musical enlightenment.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Returned
Back from the tertiary camp that was held over the weekend.
Had wanted to post up something on how it has been a small but significant blessing. But i got gunned down by my mom's killer glare last night so the post isn't done yet.
Catching up with my readings that i've missed now so i'll probably be back only later.
It's been days of mulling, self reflection and realizing my faults and flaws.
And i realize how much control AND how little control i have over who i am and how i can change.
I'm looking forward to the next camp... The planning was insane but everything pulled together in the end.
If the social recluse can say that another camp would be cool, then it must be good.
It was not perfect. But qualitatively, it was perfect.
Thank God.
Later, loves.
Had wanted to post up something on how it has been a small but significant blessing. But i got gunned down by my mom's killer glare last night so the post isn't done yet.
Catching up with my readings that i've missed now so i'll probably be back only later.
It's been days of mulling, self reflection and realizing my faults and flaws.
And i realize how much control AND how little control i have over who i am and how i can change.
I'm looking forward to the next camp... The planning was insane but everything pulled together in the end.
If the social recluse can say that another camp would be cool, then it must be good.
It was not perfect. But qualitatively, it was perfect.
Thank God.
Later, loves.
Friday, February 18, 2005
both extremes
I never knew that i still hold so much bitterness inside.
It's like a simmering well of poison that stays mostly hidden and concealed under that nicely painted unsuspecting picture...
Until something that makes it boil comes around.
Then, i would taste the anger... And the heart turns cold and hard.
Almost snapped back with something bitter and nasty but stopped just in time.
*** ***
I am VERY GROUCHY. I know, been complaining about it for the last few days about not sleeping well.
But it just came to a complete head today. I was working all the way from morning to night, then to morning again and slept from freaking 7am to 945am.
Only to continue working my posterior off till now.
I wouldn't have eaten if no one had asked me to.
I am blogging because i cannot take it! I need to scream so you shall get it.
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am easily pissed and if you so much as raise your voice at me, i will put a frog in your mattress tonight. Or worse.
And this fella * well cannot even WAIT for a while for an email to arrive. I was just going to send the email when C. called me for the second time, *ing shortly, after the first call, hurrying me for the email.
* IT!
It wasn't even 15 minutes, * IT!
BUT.
Amidst all this pissy feelings. I tell you, despite me being such a wreck, dirty, impure and fallen being, GOD IS GOOD and as i am working, HE'S WORKING ALONGSIDE ME!
I had to do 3 things today:
- do the PP slides for the bible trivia
- dash out to get the games logistics
- go down to zap the journals at henderson (WT...)
3 things but that's a whole lotta things for so little time when i had to report by 4pm, but now 6pm.
Been doing the trivia thing for days and it's still not done... While i was slogging away at the laptop, i began to feel the pressure and tiredness from all the days of non-stop work.
So, i bowed my head and said a simple prayer to God... asking him to "please... let me finish the slides on time..."
And guess what. C. called up not long after to tell me that K. was free to pick up the logistics stuff that i was suppose to.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Then, while still slogging away, quite a while later, C. called again to let me know that i can send the email to the office so that i didn't need to go all the way down.
You tell me who's behind all that?
It's uncanny, it happened all so neatly.
So if you've noticed, all i have to do now is concentrate on the pp slides.
So, I AM OFF FOR NOW!
My little testimony.
That God sees what i'm doing, His hand is never too short to help me, He answers prayers
and... He knows the limits to my overzealous self.
GOTTA GO!
GOD, SHOW ME MORE!
tILL then.
*Lord, to see more of you during this church camp, i pray*
It's like a simmering well of poison that stays mostly hidden and concealed under that nicely painted unsuspecting picture...
Until something that makes it boil comes around.
Then, i would taste the anger... And the heart turns cold and hard.
Almost snapped back with something bitter and nasty but stopped just in time.
*** ***
I am VERY GROUCHY. I know, been complaining about it for the last few days about not sleeping well.
But it just came to a complete head today. I was working all the way from morning to night, then to morning again and slept from freaking 7am to 945am.
Only to continue working my posterior off till now.
I wouldn't have eaten if no one had asked me to.
I am blogging because i cannot take it! I need to scream so you shall get it.
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am easily pissed and if you so much as raise your voice at me, i will put a frog in your mattress tonight. Or worse.
And this fella * well cannot even WAIT for a while for an email to arrive. I was just going to send the email when C. called me for the second time, *ing shortly, after the first call, hurrying me for the email.
* IT!
It wasn't even 15 minutes, * IT!
BUT.
Amidst all this pissy feelings. I tell you, despite me being such a wreck, dirty, impure and fallen being, GOD IS GOOD and as i am working, HE'S WORKING ALONGSIDE ME!
I had to do 3 things today:
- do the PP slides for the bible trivia
- dash out to get the games logistics
- go down to zap the journals at henderson (WT...)
3 things but that's a whole lotta things for so little time when i had to report by 4pm, but now 6pm.
Been doing the trivia thing for days and it's still not done... While i was slogging away at the laptop, i began to feel the pressure and tiredness from all the days of non-stop work.
So, i bowed my head and said a simple prayer to God... asking him to "please... let me finish the slides on time..."
And guess what. C. called up not long after to tell me that K. was free to pick up the logistics stuff that i was suppose to.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Then, while still slogging away, quite a while later, C. called again to let me know that i can send the email to the office so that i didn't need to go all the way down.
You tell me who's behind all that?
It's uncanny, it happened all so neatly.
So if you've noticed, all i have to do now is concentrate on the pp slides.
So, I AM OFF FOR NOW!
My little testimony.
That God sees what i'm doing, His hand is never too short to help me, He answers prayers
and... He knows the limits to my overzealous self.
GOTTA GO!
GOD, SHOW ME MORE!
tILL then.
*Lord, to see more of you during this church camp, i pray*
Thursday, February 17, 2005
:-I
Apart from God's and nuclear family love, there is no other love that i trust in.
*** ***
Took a scissors to my hair today, out of whim. Snipped off some from the front layers. It's nothing much. Just a little shorter. Hardly noticeable anyway.
It's something i do now and then when i feel like it and it makes me happier.
*** ***
Took a scissors to my hair today, out of whim. Snipped off some from the front layers. It's nothing much. Just a little shorter. Hardly noticeable anyway.
It's something i do now and then when i feel like it and it makes me happier.
Monday, February 14, 2005
It's V day. So?
Wrote a loooong entry about my abhorrence for Valentine's Day.
But when i received another sms...
(from a FRIEND.)
Hard Heart melted and well... let's see what the destiny of that post is.
*** ***
ARGH. ANOTHER DAY WHEN MY HEAD TOUCHED THE PILLOW ONLY AT 3+ to 4am! I cannot LIVE like this!
*does a melodramatic faint*
Establishing a very unhealthy internal alarm clock. Brain is working less efficiently. I do wonder how some other varsity students can handle it.
I find myself having too many thoughts with a hopeless capacity to process everything. To even know what the rabbit i am talking about.
I miss my rambly long posts. :-)
Ack. Cognitive Textbook calls. I hate the way it's written.
*** ***
I think i have lost whatever wit i ever even had.
I find myself incapable of twisting something and throwing it back with intelligent wit.
I have become a smile/grin-nod dim-wit, who says, "ok..." or, "sheesh", or, "wa lau" or some other boring trash like that.
Another thing is, from one incident, i've realize that i have learnt to tone down quite a bit with my sarcasm. I actually held my tongue just in time before i blurted out a retort.
I might be wrong here, because maybe some of you might still think i am a rude snot, but i use to be worse ok.
Believe me.
We're getting the watered down version today. *smirk*
Honestly, i never mean to hurt anyone with sarcasm (though people may anyway), i never mean anything with malice.
It might come out sounding rude but there really isn't anything personal.
It's just a part of me.
I was once chastised because of it before. But i guess back then, it was coupled with the fact that i was bitter and depressed then.
It's different now. I want to be who i am, the sharp mouth. But it's been suppressed over the years, that if i were to bring it back, i'm not so sure of the consequences.
Till Then.
*If only time stood still long enough for me to sleep. Without getting caught by the parentals for sleeping in the afternoon*
But when i received another sms...
(from a FRIEND.)
Hard Heart melted and well... let's see what the destiny of that post is.
*** ***
ARGH. ANOTHER DAY WHEN MY HEAD TOUCHED THE PILLOW ONLY AT 3+ to 4am! I cannot LIVE like this!
*does a melodramatic faint*
Establishing a very unhealthy internal alarm clock. Brain is working less efficiently. I do wonder how some other varsity students can handle it.
I find myself having too many thoughts with a hopeless capacity to process everything. To even know what the rabbit i am talking about.
I miss my rambly long posts. :-)
Ack. Cognitive Textbook calls. I hate the way it's written.
*** ***
I think i have lost whatever wit i ever even had.
I find myself incapable of twisting something and throwing it back with intelligent wit.
I have become a smile/grin-nod dim-wit, who says, "ok..." or, "sheesh", or, "wa lau" or some other boring trash like that.
Another thing is, from one incident, i've realize that i have learnt to tone down quite a bit with my sarcasm. I actually held my tongue just in time before i blurted out a retort.
I might be wrong here, because maybe some of you might still think i am a rude snot, but i use to be worse ok.
Believe me.
We're getting the watered down version today. *smirk*
Honestly, i never mean to hurt anyone with sarcasm (though people may anyway), i never mean anything with malice.
It might come out sounding rude but there really isn't anything personal.
It's just a part of me.
I was once chastised because of it before. But i guess back then, it was coupled with the fact that i was bitter and depressed then.
It's different now. I want to be who i am, the sharp mouth. But it's been suppressed over the years, that if i were to bring it back, i'm not so sure of the consequences.
Till Then.
*If only time stood still long enough for me to sleep. Without getting caught by the parentals for sleeping in the afternoon*
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Bad form
Anyway...
I wish i had been Belinda Lee.
Keanu Reeves is mine.
*** ***
Guilt ridden me, guilt ridden me.
BAH.
It's Chinese New Year, can i just let loose?
I feel the nagging at the back of my mind... "go to work... go to work... you haven't finished your readings, you still have your essay..."
I haven't even gone for my first lecture and tutorial and i am already trying to attempt the question. I have this habit of trying to do everything fast and ahead of everyone and ahead of the given schedule.
Thing is, if i don't solidify and totally get the full picture of the things i've learnt, i'll just waste my energy and effort if i go ahead and write my essay.
*** ***
There seems to be so much i wish to say except that my brain isn't working too efficiently.
Church camp planning, hanging around aimlessly, wishing i could sit in my chair and study, ponder...
I think i'm just... Really tired and not in the best of form.
Someone...
I beseech thee... Whisk me far away, far from the cares of this world, bring me to a place where my eyes can behold the far reaches of this world, where i can take a breath with a chest unladen, and not have an atom of worry at all.
I need to sleep. Just when i thought i could study.
Till Then.
*Lord, please forgive me for putting other things ahead of you.*
I wish i had been Belinda Lee.
Keanu Reeves is mine.
*** ***
Guilt ridden me, guilt ridden me.
BAH.
It's Chinese New Year, can i just let loose?
I feel the nagging at the back of my mind... "go to work... go to work... you haven't finished your readings, you still have your essay..."
I haven't even gone for my first lecture and tutorial and i am already trying to attempt the question. I have this habit of trying to do everything fast and ahead of everyone and ahead of the given schedule.
Thing is, if i don't solidify and totally get the full picture of the things i've learnt, i'll just waste my energy and effort if i go ahead and write my essay.
*** ***
There seems to be so much i wish to say except that my brain isn't working too efficiently.
Church camp planning, hanging around aimlessly, wishing i could sit in my chair and study, ponder...
I think i'm just... Really tired and not in the best of form.
Someone...
I beseech thee... Whisk me far away, far from the cares of this world, bring me to a place where my eyes can behold the far reaches of this world, where i can take a breath with a chest unladen, and not have an atom of worry at all.
I need to sleep. Just when i thought i could study.
Till Then.
*Lord, please forgive me for putting other things ahead of you.*
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Sunday, February 06, 2005
David Lanz
It'll be forever different now, whenever i pick up a David Lanz CD to play.
I sat (almost) at the feet of my favourite pianist today. Second row from the very front, stall seat.
My parents and i came on time and so i sat all by my lonesome at my seat (because they wanted the cheaper seats, so i paid my own more expensive fare) staring at the black Steinway & Sons grand piano.
The theatre was semi dark while the stage was shrouded in darkness, save for the few spotlights that highlighted the grand.
It was almost surreal just sitting where i was, looking straight ahead, waiting in controlled anticipation/conscious nonchalance (don't ask me why, maybe it's my personal disregard towards looking like a mad fan though i sort of am almost there in truth) for the moment when David (it gets tiring typing David Lanz) comes on stage.
The piano itself was an art piece, the way it stood there in its black, handsome and sturdy grandeur, yet it seemed to also pulsate its own alluring (sexy?) charm.
In David's words, like a "Dark Horse".
I know he composed a song with such a title attributed to the subject instrument.
The music playing in the background seemed almost cheesy in comparison to what i was going to hear.
Then the lights dimmed, covering us in almost pitch darkness.
And David walked out from the black corner of the stage, just as if he melted into our presence. Like, some Phantom of the Theatre house.
It was like a DREAM.
It's not because i see him as my IDOL in that obsessive sense, though but i go around calling him my "ou xiang" because he IS my favourite pianist.
Neither will you see hearts flying around my head and twinkling in my peepers.
But it was something so personal, though impersonal in reality sadly.
This person, whose CDs i've been listening to since i was in secondary school has flown all the way, half way around the world, to our little island to tinkle and bang (artfully of course), a few songs to us.
He was so REAL and no longer just a faceless musician.
The second he dived into his first song, i felt as if i was listening to the studio recorded CD track.
The way the lights dimmed on him as he prepared himself and the way it changed its hue, intensity and colour as he played his songs made him look like an artwork... a fusion, together with the Steinway.
It was a joy watching his fingers move effortlessly on the keyboard, making it look so easy.
Well, he made mistakes too... Two songs were riddled with mistakes.
But it just served to make me think him all the more human. And real.
He's just like one of us. Just... with different circumstances in life.
There was once i noticed how tensed i was all over throughout one of the mistakey songs.
There was just something intriguing about the way a human can command the piano. Pressing the right buttons, hitting the chords, how hard you depress the keys...
Something about control, something about doing it right.
Reminds me of.. God? But doesn't quite fit, right.
:-)
He played mostly the most touching, romantic and all time favourite songs. And those, i am very familiar with.
Some of the others are from albums i possess and a couple from a new album not released here, "The Good Life".
David made his concert a little interactive. Melike. And he has a pleasant sense of humour.
There was this little medley of "childhood songs" which he played and it was just SO FUN!
He did little "gimmicks" here and there, like giving us little funny expressions while he played, pretending like there weren't enough keys on the board when he reached the end of the board, putting on sunglasses when it came to the fast, funky and upbeat part, and DELIBERATELY taking them off when it slowed down to the more "serious" parts.
It was entertaining then. Couldn't get enough of it.
And mind you, besides playing romantic pieces, he's a pretty darn competent jazz pianist. In fact, i think he does play jazz. And if you ask me, he looked a whole lot more comfortable playing jazz.
Oh... i've had a taste of what it is like to experience music live from an artiste i appreciate.
I hope there'll be more events like this to come. But first, i have to find more musicians i genuinely love.
Hm, Keiko Matsui's another.
We'll see.
I am hoping that the image of David sitting at his dark piano, with the dim coloured lights enfolding him, will stick in my mind for a long time to come.
But more so, i hope he returns.
And that those jokers would jack up the publicity.
Till then.
*a pity that i didn't get to speak to him. I remember leaving him a message on his website about how nice it'd be if he came to visit, and perform at our arts centre. It's his first time in this part of the world, he said.*
I sat (almost) at the feet of my favourite pianist today. Second row from the very front, stall seat.
My parents and i came on time and so i sat all by my lonesome at my seat (because they wanted the cheaper seats, so i paid my own more expensive fare) staring at the black Steinway & Sons grand piano.
The theatre was semi dark while the stage was shrouded in darkness, save for the few spotlights that highlighted the grand.
It was almost surreal just sitting where i was, looking straight ahead, waiting in controlled anticipation/conscious nonchalance (don't ask me why, maybe it's my personal disregard towards looking like a mad fan though i sort of am almost there in truth) for the moment when David (it gets tiring typing David Lanz) comes on stage.
The piano itself was an art piece, the way it stood there in its black, handsome and sturdy grandeur, yet it seemed to also pulsate its own alluring (sexy?) charm.
In David's words, like a "Dark Horse".
I know he composed a song with such a title attributed to the subject instrument.
The music playing in the background seemed almost cheesy in comparison to what i was going to hear.
Then the lights dimmed, covering us in almost pitch darkness.
And David walked out from the black corner of the stage, just as if he melted into our presence. Like, some Phantom of the Theatre house.
It was like a DREAM.
It's not because i see him as my IDOL in that obsessive sense, though but i go around calling him my "ou xiang" because he IS my favourite pianist.
Neither will you see hearts flying around my head and twinkling in my peepers.
But it was something so personal, though impersonal in reality sadly.
This person, whose CDs i've been listening to since i was in secondary school has flown all the way, half way around the world, to our little island to tinkle and bang (artfully of course), a few songs to us.
He was so REAL and no longer just a faceless musician.
The second he dived into his first song, i felt as if i was listening to the studio recorded CD track.
The way the lights dimmed on him as he prepared himself and the way it changed its hue, intensity and colour as he played his songs made him look like an artwork... a fusion, together with the Steinway.
It was a joy watching his fingers move effortlessly on the keyboard, making it look so easy.
Well, he made mistakes too... Two songs were riddled with mistakes.
But it just served to make me think him all the more human. And real.
He's just like one of us. Just... with different circumstances in life.
There was once i noticed how tensed i was all over throughout one of the mistakey songs.
There was just something intriguing about the way a human can command the piano. Pressing the right buttons, hitting the chords, how hard you depress the keys...
Something about control, something about doing it right.
Reminds me of.. God? But doesn't quite fit, right.
:-)
He played mostly the most touching, romantic and all time favourite songs. And those, i am very familiar with.
Some of the others are from albums i possess and a couple from a new album not released here, "The Good Life".
David made his concert a little interactive. Melike. And he has a pleasant sense of humour.
There was this little medley of "childhood songs" which he played and it was just SO FUN!
He did little "gimmicks" here and there, like giving us little funny expressions while he played, pretending like there weren't enough keys on the board when he reached the end of the board, putting on sunglasses when it came to the fast, funky and upbeat part, and DELIBERATELY taking them off when it slowed down to the more "serious" parts.
It was entertaining then. Couldn't get enough of it.
And mind you, besides playing romantic pieces, he's a pretty darn competent jazz pianist. In fact, i think he does play jazz. And if you ask me, he looked a whole lot more comfortable playing jazz.
Oh... i've had a taste of what it is like to experience music live from an artiste i appreciate.
I hope there'll be more events like this to come. But first, i have to find more musicians i genuinely love.
Hm, Keiko Matsui's another.
We'll see.
I am hoping that the image of David sitting at his dark piano, with the dim coloured lights enfolding him, will stick in my mind for a long time to come.
But more so, i hope he returns.
And that those jokers would jack up the publicity.
Till then.
*a pity that i didn't get to speak to him. I remember leaving him a message on his website about how nice it'd be if he came to visit, and perform at our arts centre. It's his first time in this part of the world, he said.*
Friday, February 04, 2005
The moments after...
DAVID LANZ CONCERT TOMORROW at THE ESPLANADE, 8pm.
I've NEVER HAD SUCH motivation to buy tickets for a concert that takes place at the Esplanade apart from band performances by alma mata ACJC.
BEHOLD! MY FAVOURITE PIANIST!!!
I am UNSPEAKABLY EXCITED!
I cannot BELIEVE HE'S COMING TO, IF NOT ALREADY IN SINGAPORE!
*** ***
Hearing a simulated version of how it sounds like from a mortal mouth, i think i can imagine how God aka Jesus might say it and how much He must love me.
And it warms my heart and pricks (sometimes devours) my consciousness, that someone so divine, so brilliant, so perfect, so spotless and clean, so pure...
Could look at me and think no evil thoughts of me but can only love a sinner that is so imperfect, so foul, so filthy.
We hear the "God Loves You" phrase so often that it becomes so hackeyed and it so quickly loses its spiritual touch of reality, it becomes auto-textbook, just-microsoft-text-words knowledge.
Can we say it with tears of gratitude in out hearts, spirits and eyes?
I have to admit that more often than so, it's merely a 3 worded phrase to me.
But then at times, i feel as though my mind is brought to a different level and i see the hugeness of God and that He really does have such an omnipotent presence and a vast unlimited capacity to embrace every single living thing that exists.
It doesn't matter whether WHO we are, or WHAT you have done.
When Jesus was on Earth as a man, he mixed around with the lowest of society, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the adultress, all the very people we'd get (a bit?) uncomfortable around. The sick in the mind, the leprosy ridden, the lame, the blind...
Liars. At some point, we all do lie right?
Despite all that. He loves you and His heart aches for you to know Him.
We wouldn't need God if we were all perfect.
For Him to be your Father.
A Father to those whose Earthly daddy no longer lives, or to be a Father to those whose daddy who is incapable of being one, or to be a Father to those whose daddys have gone off astray.
*** ***
Because i am not that, oh-i-neeeeeeed-you-every-moment sort of person, i find it hard to fathom why some people think about their significant others something like, every second, or well, almost every second of the day.
My sister and i were just talking about how we aren't the kind of girls who need to meet the boyfriend (in this case, a very fictional character for the both of us at this point) often within a week, or even spend long hours together in a day.
As for questioning the girls' point of view, we were wondering whether it is due to a to need to feel identification by virtue of "i am so-and-so's girlfriend".
Or is it just plain neediness. "I feel lonely without you by my side... I need your company, without you i feel empty. Your presence is what i need!!!!!!"
(this is not in said in a general sense which is about when man finds woman. It's about the physical company.)
This, i just cannot fathom.
I can understand the "i love your company" bit, but it is only till there that i can identify.
But i don't get it when one has to feel like one has to spend every spare moment with the other.
Even if i do have feelings for or love someone, i definitely won't want to see him everyday, every moment, hear from him every hour...
It only serves to make me feel caged, watched, stifled.
Sometimes it might feel like i'm being put on a pedestral... Which honestly can be nice sometimes but if too often, will make me feel like conking the guy on the head to knock him out for a bit, while i go take a breather.
Makes me want to go run across the open grasslands of England, skydive or something, ya know?
As for the guys' side, what do you think? How do you feel about this?
If you are the type who needs your girlfriend's company (or imagine one up) every chance you get, why's that so?
My sister says that next time, i am going to have to work out some schedule or timetable with my husband.
*** ***
Now that it's time for me to mug, i am wondering if i put too much stress on myself, which is one reason why i think i don't do as well as i hope for, despite putting so much effort into my work.
I always try to read up as much as i can beforehand by beating the schedule, try to do my assignments before they are due, get worried, slightly frustrated and guilty when i am not being productive.
Are these signs of some sort of workaholic disorder or somesuch.
Other times, I get stressed and i wonder if it's because,
1. the amount of work i put in is too much. OR,
2. i am doing too little and because of my inability to achieve as much, i find that i feel incapable of being as smart as i wish i could be.
Urgh.
I wonder if i take parental expectations a little too far, maybe even to the point of distortion? (ok, that's an iffy)
Such that i think i'm creating my own problems to weigh me down.
Bah.
I love what i'm studying, but i hate all the reading that has to be done.
Maybe i shouldn't stick around at home. It's not a healthy place to be.
You don't want to create negative contingents.
Home=study,
Study=reading
Reading=don't like=bad emotions
therefore,
Home=bad emotions, so,
Home=Bad emotions=unhappy and unhealthy.
Eeek, did i just type that out! ARGH! Manifestation! NO! CANNOT, must psycho self positively.
Okok, out.
Till Then.
*Stop obsessing jo. And you're not going to feel happy if you don't hit the gym like, NOW.*
I've NEVER HAD SUCH motivation to buy tickets for a concert that takes place at the Esplanade apart from band performances by alma mata ACJC.
BEHOLD! MY FAVOURITE PIANIST!!!
I am UNSPEAKABLY EXCITED!
I cannot BELIEVE HE'S COMING TO, IF NOT ALREADY IN SINGAPORE!
*** ***
Hearing a simulated version of how it sounds like from a mortal mouth, i think i can imagine how God aka Jesus might say it and how much He must love me.
And it warms my heart and pricks (sometimes devours) my consciousness, that someone so divine, so brilliant, so perfect, so spotless and clean, so pure...
Could look at me and think no evil thoughts of me but can only love a sinner that is so imperfect, so foul, so filthy.
We hear the "God Loves You" phrase so often that it becomes so hackeyed and it so quickly loses its spiritual touch of reality, it becomes auto-textbook, just-microsoft-text-words knowledge.
Can we say it with tears of gratitude in out hearts, spirits and eyes?
I have to admit that more often than so, it's merely a 3 worded phrase to me.
But then at times, i feel as though my mind is brought to a different level and i see the hugeness of God and that He really does have such an omnipotent presence and a vast unlimited capacity to embrace every single living thing that exists.
It doesn't matter whether WHO we are, or WHAT you have done.
When Jesus was on Earth as a man, he mixed around with the lowest of society, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the adultress, all the very people we'd get (a bit?) uncomfortable around. The sick in the mind, the leprosy ridden, the lame, the blind...
Liars. At some point, we all do lie right?
Despite all that. He loves you and His heart aches for you to know Him.
We wouldn't need God if we were all perfect.
For Him to be your Father.
A Father to those whose Earthly daddy no longer lives, or to be a Father to those whose daddy who is incapable of being one, or to be a Father to those whose daddys have gone off astray.
*** ***
Because i am not that, oh-i-neeeeeeed-you-every-moment sort of person, i find it hard to fathom why some people think about their significant others something like, every second, or well, almost every second of the day.
My sister and i were just talking about how we aren't the kind of girls who need to meet the boyfriend (in this case, a very fictional character for the both of us at this point) often within a week, or even spend long hours together in a day.
As for questioning the girls' point of view, we were wondering whether it is due to a to need to feel identification by virtue of "i am so-and-so's girlfriend".
Or is it just plain neediness. "I feel lonely without you by my side... I need your company, without you i feel empty. Your presence is what i need!!!!!!"
(this is not in said in a general sense which is about when man finds woman. It's about the physical company.)
This, i just cannot fathom.
I can understand the "i love your company" bit, but it is only till there that i can identify.
But i don't get it when one has to feel like one has to spend every spare moment with the other.
Even if i do have feelings for or love someone, i definitely won't want to see him everyday, every moment, hear from him every hour...
It only serves to make me feel caged, watched, stifled.
Sometimes it might feel like i'm being put on a pedestral... Which honestly can be nice sometimes but if too often, will make me feel like conking the guy on the head to knock him out for a bit, while i go take a breather.
Makes me want to go run across the open grasslands of England, skydive or something, ya know?
As for the guys' side, what do you think? How do you feel about this?
If you are the type who needs your girlfriend's company (or imagine one up) every chance you get, why's that so?
My sister says that next time, i am going to have to work out some schedule or timetable with my husband.
*** ***
Now that it's time for me to mug, i am wondering if i put too much stress on myself, which is one reason why i think i don't do as well as i hope for, despite putting so much effort into my work.
I always try to read up as much as i can beforehand by beating the schedule, try to do my assignments before they are due, get worried, slightly frustrated and guilty when i am not being productive.
Are these signs of some sort of workaholic disorder or somesuch.
Other times, I get stressed and i wonder if it's because,
1. the amount of work i put in is too much. OR,
2. i am doing too little and because of my inability to achieve as much, i find that i feel incapable of being as smart as i wish i could be.
Urgh.
I wonder if i take parental expectations a little too far, maybe even to the point of distortion? (ok, that's an iffy)
Such that i think i'm creating my own problems to weigh me down.
Bah.
I love what i'm studying, but i hate all the reading that has to be done.
Maybe i shouldn't stick around at home. It's not a healthy place to be.
You don't want to create negative contingents.
Home=study,
Study=reading
Reading=don't like=bad emotions
therefore,
Home=bad emotions, so,
Home=Bad emotions=unhappy and unhealthy.
Eeek, did i just type that out! ARGH! Manifestation! NO! CANNOT, must psycho self positively.
Okok, out.
Till Then.
*Stop obsessing jo. And you're not going to feel happy if you don't hit the gym like, NOW.*
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Bluetooth Happy
More sunset rays 
While on the way home, i stopped by the corridor and looked out and yet again couldn't let this one go. I am getting trigger happy... Now that the bluetooth dongle lets me share photos! But hey, doesn't cost me a cent to feel fulfilled inside when it comes to admiring the beauty of nature and sharing it with anyone who can appreciate it too.
Vertical version. Figured i could get more sky, which turns out to be just... grey.
Took this one at Paya Lebar. I looked on to my left and immediately fell in love with what i saw. Swooooosh! SNAP! Thank God for digicams and for bringing it that day.
*** ***
I spent a day out in town yesterday and when it came close to going home, i realized what a homebody type i am. Sure, i like to venture out but i will ALWAYS long for home at the end of it all.
Guess i'm not cut out to be a backpacker.
Speaking of backpacking, i kind of like the idea of travelling around with my well stocked backpack as well as my loving partner bounding faithfully beside me.
(hohoho, sounds just like a happy retriever!)
ANYWAY, i DO MEAN a human being.
No, no, don't think amazing race!
We might just kill each other, but then again, we might end up loving/understanding each other more despite going crazy bonkers or well... remaining perpetually PMS-y, though i doubt any normal man will be able live with it...
and live a long life, for the record.
Especially so, if it is dished out by me. I am a terror! *ROARRRR!!!*
But of course, if he does, he is for keeps forever!
Funny how i used to be able to stay at home for days in a row without feeling the need to go see the outside world... ok fine, apart from the supermarket downstairs.
Now? Gee. I need fresh air, if not, at least something to keep me very very busy.
Ok, but i guess i will be coerced into remaining at home from now on.
Fine by me. My mugging engine is going at almost full throttle. Better make good use of it.
Visited the library yesterday too to look for brain food, but was sorely disappointed, having only found ONE SKINNY BOOK by ONE AUTHOR OUT OF THREE AUTHORS of books i was hoping to find.
*pout*
Argh! OK! Don't puke your dinner out! I'm sorry, i'm sorry, i can't pout adorably.
Bah.
Such are the sorrows of looking chronically nerdy.
Anyway, i managed to obtain TWO Paulo Coelho's books, none of which i've read before so i am a very happy girl.
A very happy nerdy girl.
Jo navigates her way around the library... keeping her head up to look for the fiction section.
She drools mentally as she draws nearer and nearer to finding the sirname of one of her favourite authors.
"COELHO! PAULO!" she finally spies!
Spots TWO BOOKS by him.
With her heart beating at 400 beats/min, she thinks,
"I WANT! GIMME!"
Then she thinks in a more civil manner. "What if someone else comes looking to?"
... ... ... ...
As much as i felt it was my duty to not deprive someone of the same pleasure, i thought, "Look, what kind of rules are those? Sigh. I've been looking and i think i want them too much to let it go."
So there. I took both home. So now my sole responsibility is to finish them ASAP.
As with the 2 other Christian books i promised to read ASAP too.
Garbled too much already eh.
Till Then.
*My life... Rededicated."
While on the way home, i stopped by the corridor and looked out and yet again couldn't let this one go. I am getting trigger happy... Now that the bluetooth dongle lets me share photos! But hey, doesn't cost me a cent to feel fulfilled inside when it comes to admiring the beauty of nature and sharing it with anyone who can appreciate it too.
Vertical version. Figured i could get more sky, which turns out to be just... grey.
Took this one at Paya Lebar. I looked on to my left and immediately fell in love with what i saw. Swooooosh! SNAP! Thank God for digicams and for bringing it that day.
*** ***
I spent a day out in town yesterday and when it came close to going home, i realized what a homebody type i am. Sure, i like to venture out but i will ALWAYS long for home at the end of it all.
Guess i'm not cut out to be a backpacker.
Speaking of backpacking, i kind of like the idea of travelling around with my well stocked backpack as well as my loving partner bounding faithfully beside me.
(hohoho, sounds just like a happy retriever!)
ANYWAY, i DO MEAN a human being.
No, no, don't think amazing race!
We might just kill each other, but then again, we might end up loving/understanding each other more despite going crazy bonkers or well... remaining perpetually PMS-y, though i doubt any normal man will be able live with it...
and live a long life, for the record.
Especially so, if it is dished out by me. I am a terror! *ROARRRR!!!*
But of course, if he does, he is for keeps forever!
Funny how i used to be able to stay at home for days in a row without feeling the need to go see the outside world... ok fine, apart from the supermarket downstairs.
Now? Gee. I need fresh air, if not, at least something to keep me very very busy.
Ok, but i guess i will be coerced into remaining at home from now on.
Fine by me. My mugging engine is going at almost full throttle. Better make good use of it.
Visited the library yesterday too to look for brain food, but was sorely disappointed, having only found ONE SKINNY BOOK by ONE AUTHOR OUT OF THREE AUTHORS of books i was hoping to find.
*pout*
Argh! OK! Don't puke your dinner out! I'm sorry, i'm sorry, i can't pout adorably.
Bah.
Such are the sorrows of looking chronically nerdy.
Anyway, i managed to obtain TWO Paulo Coelho's books, none of which i've read before so i am a very happy girl.
A very happy nerdy girl.
Jo navigates her way around the library... keeping her head up to look for the fiction section.
She drools mentally as she draws nearer and nearer to finding the sirname of one of her favourite authors.
"COELHO! PAULO!" she finally spies!
Spots TWO BOOKS by him.
With her heart beating at 400 beats/min, she thinks,
"I WANT! GIMME!"
Then she thinks in a more civil manner. "What if someone else comes looking to?"
... ... ... ...
As much as i felt it was my duty to not deprive someone of the same pleasure, i thought, "Look, what kind of rules are those? Sigh. I've been looking and i think i want them too much to let it go."
So there. I took both home. So now my sole responsibility is to finish them ASAP.
As with the 2 other Christian books i promised to read ASAP too.
Garbled too much already eh.
Till Then.
*My life... Rededicated."
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