Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Happy Feet

I love, i love, i LOVE this movie!! Somehow I never tire of the trailers. There are many versions on youtube too. If anyone sees the Baby Mumble plus toy around, please let me know where to find it. HE'S SOOOO ADORABLE!

Thank You!

I know this is a little late, but I really want to say a big THANK YOU for all your birthday shout-outs, wishes, celebrations, gifts, and love!! The wish-list was pretty much fulfilled...every item that I listed. haha! Amazing! But it was so much more than just receving pressies....I came away with a new appreciation for your years of friendship. That is something money can never buy. :)

Slowing down the world

I haven't had time, or energy to blog much lately.....in fact....I'm so hurried these days running from one place/task to another, that I'm really getting quite impatient with people who are indecisive/blur/ lazy/slow to take action etc. More often than I like....I find myself screaming (in my head) "GET THERE FASTER!!" or "GET IT DONE ALREADY!". Today I was so frustrated that I exclaimed "I need to clone myself!" in the office. Arghhh!! So many things to do, so little time....and just one of me.

I don't like being this hurried, this task-oriented, this curt. I don't like not having enough time to socialise and to build relationships. I keep forgetting to pay my bills, to do my errands, to reply to my smses/emails cos there's just too much on my mind (yah, so sorry if I haven't been replying to u!). I don't like having no energy during weekends, and puking when I'm super exhausted.

How I wish I could just slow down the world!! Sigh.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

I've been Punk'd

Yeah, those are COWS pasted on my work computer. I've been majorly PUNK'D these few days by the legendary pranksters at BMI as they 'celebrated' my birthday. haha! It all started on Tues, when I found my cubicle plastered with pieces of paper that read 'you' in various languages (English, Mandarin, French, German). I knew then, it was going to be an on-going 'series' (I was one of the planners of the huge Jasmine bday prank remember?).

On Weds, the next word appeared- 'are'. Later in the afternoon, the cows popped up too after I came out from a meeting. Today, the final word appeared- 'wanted'. Nobody in the office would admit to it of course. These are the pics....but mind you, these show you the tidied-up version of my cubicle. I had to throw most of them away, in order to have some decent space to work. haha!


They even relocated all my stuffed animals from the basket, and placed this notice in the basket with shreds of paper:

It says "Your decomposed animals- We've found a better place for them"

They relocated them to the top of my cupboard, propped them up with a 'Praise the Lord' sign which was a gift from students, AND added articial plants around them as decoration.

Pretty well-done I must say.....all that effort that went into it. haha! My cubicle is starting to look like a zoo.....I was joking with them that I should charge them $1 admission fee, each time they came round to 'visit' me.

There were a few other minor pranks/strange behaviour as well during the last few days:
- Danny kept asking me if I would like a drink
- Coaches kept peering into my classroom during lessons, to distract me with huge toothy grins
- Danny, Wilson and Daniel Wilson, the guitar coaches performed 2 songs for me impromptu. The first one was "Twinkle, twinkle little star" in an Indian accent with percussions (table) and a dance. The second one was "My girl"...but they changed the 'my girl' in the chorus to 'Michelle'. If only we had recorded that. Really entertaining! haha!

The final one, before the big bday supper/taboo game was this:
I came out from my last class of the day to find these posters with my distorted face plastered all over the office. Courtesy of Danny.

What can I say? I saw it coming....after all the pranks I had masterminded. But it really made work more fun, and certainly cheered me up. A fantastic effort guys!!!! Thanks for everything, the songs, the pranks, the love etc. Somemore got german and french leh....not bad not bad. heh! I think we all had great fun. :)

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Reminiscence

I desperately miss those days rehearsing/jamming/ mucking around in the studio with Andrea's jazz band '5@play' and my acoustic band- 'Disclosure'. Hmmm...here are old pics from our precious time together last Christmas.

The awesome Eugene on guitar and Reg on bass

Beautiful Andrea! :)

Dear bros Jim and Kelvin. Shu-Lyn from 5@play

The lovely group shot after the actual gig@esplanade

Happy Feet

I want one of these cuddly penguins!!!!

SMS conversation with Desmond:
===========================
Desmond: There's only one Casino Royale slot at 6.30pm at Vivo. Wanna catch it somewhere else?
Mich: I wanna watch Happy feet!!
Desmond: WA BIANG! But its your bday eve.....I'm okay...But sure??
Mich: Elijah Wood is the voice of the penguin leh. How cute!! His eyes are blue like Elijah's somemore. Aiyah, but if you not keen just pick another cinema for Casino Royale. Mebbe The Cathay?
Desmond: I haven't been there...nice ah?
Mich: Wa Biang! Ah Bu den?? Go go (bk tix)


People....why does wanting to watch 'Happy Feet' warrant a 'WA BIANG' reaction huh??
Who doesn't love penguins? I thought it was universal...even for guys.

Rie's Wedding@The Raffles Hotel

Last weekend was Cherie's wedding. Yes, another one of our 31/97, AJC classmates married off! I was seriously ill all of last week, but miraculously managed to pull it together at the last min to sing "Bless the broken road" during Rie's dinner walk-in. I'm glad I did it in the end, cos I quite enjoyed the experience. (I don't get to gig now remember?) Jon (who kindly accompanied me on guitar) and I only practised for about 45 mins in all I think, so we were pleasantly surprised that we pulled it off smoothly enough. Yay!

Ooh, I even got to meet and chat with local singer-musician Cat Ong and her really funny, cool guitarist David. They were employed to play at the wedding. Thanks Rie, for that opportunity to grab Cat's contact! heh! She was such a warm, friendly and encouraging lady.

Here are some pics from that nite taken with me hp! :)

Group pic with the lovely bride, Cherie (top row, right)
I really thought your evening gown was so elegant dear!

May and Mariann, Rie's 12 yr old little sis. They were doing this 'thumb dance' the whole nite, and annoying their 'neighbour', Ashanti with it. haha! Check out May's fancy hair-do. Got flowers (note PLURAL) in her hair ah! Fwah!

Our table- the class of 31/97, AJC: (Left to right) Mariann, May(World Bank officer), Ashanti (the Gah-men officer), me, Sophine (the lawyer)

May singing with David

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Shutting down...now

You know how when you're so exhausted, that your body just screams for you to slow down, by giving you major signals? eg. you develop vomitting spells, and you don't know why cos you didn't drink. Well, i found out that it was due to fatigue.

But then you still don't slow down even though you want to, cos there's just too much work to do, too many people who want a piece of you. So it goes 'hmmm, bobian lah'....and basically goes into 'shut down' mode.

That's what I experienced the past few weeks. This week I suddenly developed this horrid, nasty flu and cough....and i mean NASTY. I can't remember the last time I was bedridden and so physically weak. Normally when I get a flu or cough or whatever, I'm still able to walk about and do my stuff. This time, it was a really huge battle with my body.

"C'mon....move your sorry ass out of the bed."
"No. We're not budging"
"You have to!! I've gotta teach my classes"
"WHAT?? No way! We've had enough you stupid girl."
"Too bad, get up!" etc.

And then...I drag that sorry body to work and back home again.
I'm still recovering, so I sound beautifully nasal now.
The nasty bug has since infected my cousin too (she's my room-mate).
So stay far far away from me. ahhaha!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Child

It's tough growing up and assuming more responsibilities. We can't run away from them forever that's for sure......but at the same time, it's a tragedy to lose that inner child within us totally. I guess what I'm saying is...not to stay childish, but to retain a bit of child-likeness...that sense of playfulness, openness and wonder. That keeps us sane rite?

But somehow, the world seems intent on squashing that out of us......what with the heaps of work, deadlines, bills and not to mention rude heartaches that remind you not everyone is to be trusted. It hits you so suddenly.....one day you wake up, and you realize....it's just not fun anymore.

How I long for that space to breathe freely....
How I long to awake from this jaded spell....
How I long to return to those magical days of star-gazing....
Yes, my child, you shall believe.
I must believe.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Elsewhere

(by Sarah McLachlan)

I love the time and in between
the calm inside me
in the space where I can breathe
I believe there is a
distance I have wandered
to touch upon the years of
reaching out and reaching in
holding out holding in

I believe
this is heaven to no one else but me
and I'll defend it as long as I can be
left here to linger in silence
if I choose to
would you try to understand

I know this love is passing time
passing through like liquid
I am drunk in my desire...
but I love the way you smile at me
I love the way your hands reach out and hold me near...
I believe...

Oh the quiet child awaits the day when she can break free
the mold that clings like desperation
Mother can't you see I've got
to live my life the way I feel is right for me
might not be right for you but it's right for me...
I believe...

I would like to linger here in silence
if I choose to
would you understand it
would you try to understand...

Listen to the mp3:
http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music/item/329

Duality

"Right smack in the middle of a contradiction is the best place to be"- Bono on how he reconciles being a rock star and a christian. Bono went on to say that there's not enough tension in Christian art. Good art has duality which captures the struggle of life.
I totally agree and respect him for saying that.
Sometimes I really wish that Christians would be more honest with themselves.
Why do we cling on to our sanitized, squeaky clean brand of Christianity?
That's not real life.




Tyler Creasman on the Mr Brown Show

This ang moh kid has a killer Singlish accent. This is his follow-up to the hilarious youtube skit. I love this kid man...I hope he gets real famous. haha!

Mr Brown to Tyler:
"Ah that's why lah! You go ang moh school then all the Singlish no more how?? Wasted lah! You must go back Gahmen school."

http://www.mrbrownshow.com/?p=437

Sunday, November 05, 2006

The Answer

(lyrics by Corrinne May)

I believe you are the answer to every tear I've cried
I believe that You are with me
My rising and my light

Give me strength when I am weary
Give me hope when I can't see
Through the crosses I must carry
Lord, bind my heart to thee

That when all my days are over
and all my chores are done
I may see Your risen Glory
Forever where you are

Listen to the mp3 at http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Sarah McLachlan- "Wintersong"


Sarah McLachlan is one of my favourite singers...and I've uploaded some tracks are from her newly released Christmas album "Wintersong" on to my multiply site.
http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

It's one of the BEST Christmas albums I've heard....so many are filled with unimaginative, cliche interpretations...but Sarah's is truly unique and filled with a certain artistic flair.

Her voice is stunning as usual....her wistful, ethereal vocals add a special magic to these Christmas songs

1) Wintersong- original composition by Sarah McLachlan
2) River- a cover of Joni Mitchell's classic
3) Christmas Time is here- featuring Diana Krall with her exquisite piano playing.
4) I'll be home for Christmas- nice jazzy solo bit in the middle with a muted trumpet

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

"Number not the voices, but weigh them"

I was first introduced to this quote by Viggo Mortensen......and I think there's a lot of wisdom here. We shouldn't allow ignorant, stupid people get to us.

"Seek not the favor of the multitude. It is seldom got by honest and lawful means. But seek the testimony of the few, and number not the voices but weigh them."
-- Emmanuel Kant

Birthday Wish List

It's that time of the year again!!! Yeah, me birthday on the 25th of Nov. Teehee!
I've already received some early birthday gifts...thanks to Andrea and Berno! THANKS AGAIN!! Luv your pressies. :)

Some of you are starting to ask me what I would like. So here goes....
(pls try to inform me which item you are getting....because aside from the vouchers, I have no wish in receiving multiple items of the same gift. Thanks!!)

1) Espirit or Tangs Voucher (this is what I need the most now)
2) Blusher or Lip gloss (preferred brands- Stila/ Bobbi Brown/ M.A.C)
3) A nice edition of the novel "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. (my current version is dusty and torn, and lost. Somehow, I appreciate all these classics more, when I'm older)
4) "The Little Mermaid" CD soundtrack
(don't get the dvd, Bernice got that for me already! The sweet dear!!)
5) Nice, dangly earrings
6) Chris Botti CD (pls check with me for the latest update of the albums i'm missing from my collection)


and if you really love me...
7) Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse. HA! :p