Wednesday, March 29, 2006

You Came To My Rescue....

I cleared my work last nite (well, cleared FOR NOW)after slogging the wkend away. So, I chose to wake up luxuriously late this morning...erm afternoon (so late you don't even want to know the exact time). Decided to reward myself by going shopping before class.
One of the things I really wanted to buy was the new United Live CD. Esp.after Andrea posted some really brilliant lyrics from tt album on her blog. haha! Anyway, I've been hunting for it, but they ran out of stock at the Junction 8 Life bkshop.

I found it at CD-Rama at Popular. When I got back to the office, i realized, HEY!! BMI IS SELLING IT! (stock had JUST arrived). Nehneh! Warrau, felt like an idiot running abt town. haha! Oh well....but it felt wonderful listening to the CD...cos I had sung a few of the songs on the album while I was visiting Hillsong Church in Sydney.

I remember one of the songs that really touched me and renewed my passion for God, for worship was "Came To The Rescue". It's very simple, but it brought much needed comfort, and assurance during that time of 'spiritual drought'.

Came To My Rescue
===================
(Marty Sampson, Dylan Thomas, Joel Davies)

Chorus:
I called, You answered
And You came to my rescue
And I want to be where You are

Bridge:
In my life, be lifted high
In our world, be lifted high
In our love, be lifted high

-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the song that Andrea posted on her blog, which made me want to run out and buy the album immediately. :) Was quite impressed by how Joel Houston's song-writing has matured yet again. Wisdom beyond his years man. This song reminded me why I'm in my job in the first place....to (re)ignite that passion/ life-style of personal worship. Like the song says, it starts from the 'inside out'. It's truly a privilege to serve God in this position.

Last nite, I witnessed many goose-bumpy moments in class, when students were moved to tears because of some very touching songs/sharing/ bible passages. It's not just about an emotional high though....I believe what was triggered in that classroom, will melt their hearts, refresh their understanding/view of God, and cause a transformation in their life-styles. :)What one student wrote in her feedback form really blew me away, "this course has helped me love God more". What more can you say to that? Wow.

Finally, the song captures the state of our human frailty/brokenness so well. As humans....it's in our 'DNA' to screw up. But time and time again, God has caught us with His grace, whenever we stumble.

From The Inside Out
====================
(Joel Houston)
A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains
Should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in Your grace

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise

Pre-Chorus:
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

Chorus:
In my heart, in my soul
I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Bridge:
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out

Monday, March 27, 2006

C.S.I @ B.M.I

Time of deed: 11.30pm
Location: B.M.I at International Plaza
Name of suspects: Aaron Goh, Bernice Loh and Michelle Choy
Name of accomplice: Isabel Lin
Name of victim: Danny Sum

Image hosting by Photobucket

It was a late night....3 of us were feeling so stressed out, and in tt cranky, loony mood, we thought it wld be a hoot to tape up Danny's table with yellow 'C.S.I' tape ('Crime Scene Investigation', a lil souvenir from AXN). We would hv made a bigger, entangled mess, but we ran out of tape. haha! So this will suffice I suppose. Let's hope Danny doesn't kill us tmrw....

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Someone to sit with....

I met up with Lishan again over the wkend. We watched a movie at the Arts House (only abt 7 pple in the screening rm. haha! cool!), then went shopping and had dinner + drinks at Emerald Hill.

It sounds like a very ordinary day I suppose. But it reminded me of this one impt fact: I always feel that the best/closest friends one can have, are those whom you can just sit quietly with....without any awkwardness whatsoever(of course it usually takes time for a friendship to mature to that level of comfort).

In their company, you can just chill out over a beer, stone,stare at the sky/trees, read a magazine/ newspper (without being accussed of anti-social tendencies), sulk, cry, laugh for no rhyme or reason....
At the risk of sounding bim/cheesy, I have to confess that I'm reminded of that Ronan Keating song, where a line goes
"you say it best, when you say nothing at all." haha!

Thank you Lord for these precious friends.

We all need someone to sit with...

"Let me be your shelter"

I'm glad I could be there for you Andrea.:)
BIG HUGS and a listening ear are available anytime.
I know I posted this chorus before....but I really love it so much and I want to send it out to Andrea, and the rest of my dear friends out there.

You know who you are....
You're in my thoughts, my prayers,
and I hold you dear in my heart.
Love you. :)

"Just call my name
Let me be your answer
It hurts me to see you this way
I wanna ease your pain
Help me understand
Let me be your shelter, my friend."
- 'Shelter' by Corrinne May-

p/s: since we're talking abt friendships...its funny how we have this whole telepathic 'vibey' thing going on. On quite a few occasions,when I'm thinking abt Audrey/Pam etc...they wld be thinking abt me too at that exact moment, n we'd msg/call each other.

I know its nothing new...but it still blows me away each time. haha! Esp. when it occurs at a serious moment of need. I know sometimes it's God prompting us to pray for/ call a friend....how cool is tt? :)

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

"A Remembrance Of Things Past"- Marcel Proust

I am in deep trouble...work is piling up....i have 17 classes to grade, so far I've only completed 1. And all I can physically muster now, is to space out at the comp screen. Perfect.

While re-reading my Taboo (Part 2) post...{which I'm so glad tt Pammy loved), the 'Chai Tau Kway' comment by Wilson caught my eye. Somehow, it reminded me of the lovely day in Dec that Pammy, Aaron, Desmond and I went to watch 'The Chronicles of Narnia' at Orchard Cineleisure.

We only had 10 mins left before the movie started...but Aaron was craving for the Chai Tau Kway at the cineleisure fd court. It was a mad rush, but the 4 of us managed to chomp down a plate of it before the movie started. Afer that, the crazy pair, Pammy and Aaron, STILL wanted to buy a gigantic tub of popcorn. haha!

Think the guys thought the movie was too cutesy/ kiddy...but I really enjoyed the movie! Journeying through the kingdom that the imaginative C.S Lewis created, and seeing the mythical creatures emerge brought such magical feelings of child-like delight and wonder! I was rivetted and gasping (quite loudly) at every turn.....talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs!! And it was so cool having Pammy next to me..sharing those funny moments. She would grab my excited arm, laugh, and try to calm me down by saying "yes yes, i know!":)

One fuzzy memory that still sticks in my mind is this....when the polar bears emerged, I instinctively went "*gasp* POLAR BEARRRRRRRR!!!!" (i can't help it...i adore them). Then my dear Pammy whispered, "they're evil my dear!" (the polar bears were pulling the Witch's sleigh u see). Teehee!

Brilliant Pammy also fed me some movie trivia....when the lion popped up, she whispered to me "the lion has 3 million hairs!" Apparently, her bro told her so. It really tickled me...cos each time Aslan appeared, I wld be transfixed on his '3 millions CG hairs'. haha!

Oh, since we're talking abt the lion, I heard from Pammy later...that Aaron who was seated next to her, had a hard time concentrating on the movie. He had 2 excited kids and their mum next to him. The mum mis-informed her kids that the lion's name was "Narnia". So you can imagine, each time the lion appeared,the over-enthusiastic kids wld cry out "NARNIA!!!"....much to Aaron's annoyance. All he wanted to do was yell bk "It's ASLAN lah!!!!" haha! That's hilarious man.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Taboo Nite (Part 2)!!!

At the end of the night, the final score stood at 75 to 71. The gals (Miriam, Bernice, n myself) won again against the guys (Aaron, Wilson, Daniel Wilson and Danny). Notice how they had 4 members??
But it was a close shave this time. Too close....hmmm...we need reinforcements! ANDREA!! WHERE ARE YOU??? :)

"Previously, on Taboo Nite (Part 1)": http://jazzymoo.blogspot.com/2006/03/taboo.html

Highlights:
=============
GUYS:
------
Danny: It hops!
Wilson: Kangaroo!! (he kept repeating this word the entire nite. seems like it's one of his favourite words. haha!)
Danny: Another word for frog...
Wilson: GRASSHOPPER!
Danny: *shocked, confused expression...followed by brief silence* Can you not say such things? (Danny is shocked cos he hasn't played with Wilson before)
* hysterical laughter from everyone*
(Answer: Toad)

Danny: Mystery writer...same period as Agatha Christie...bald old guy...
Wilson: Frankenstein!
*Wilson seems to like green objects*
(Answer: Alfred Hitchcock)

Wilson: er ok ok....the word...
Aaron: BIBLE!!
Daniel Wilson: Newspaper, magazine!
Wilson: *laughs hard* no no....where Pamela is right now?
Guys: Australia! Sydney!
Wilson: Yah..another word?
Guys: Er, Down-under?
Wilson: Yah yah....another word? It's at the what of the earth?
*by this time, Bernice, Wilson's 'squeaker' (she buzzes him when he mentions the taboo words on his card), has officially turned tomato red, and is laughing so hard at the absurdity of things, she is wiping tears from her eyes*
(Answer: BOTTOM)

Aaron: *just about to give clues to his team*
Daniel Wilson: *quietly hovering over Aaron's shoulder, staring at his flash-card*.
Aaron and Mich, his 'squeaker':*staring bk at a clearly sleepy Daniel Wilson*.
OEI!!! What you doing??
Daniel Wilson: Oh sorry sorry! *scoots over to the opposite side*

=================================================================
GALS:
---------

Bernice: Er....you know 'yoohoo'?
Gals: Eh? WHO?
Bernice: 'yoohoo'! it's what?
(Answer: Superglue...she meant 'Uhu'. Classic case of mis-communication. haha!)

Miriam: you can cook this in stew...
Gals: Beef? Mutton?
Miriam: yes, wot else? Erm...it's got the ears...
Michelle: EH? whose ears wld i put in a stew? (weird pic of an elephant forming in my head)
Miriam: Long ears! Fluffy!It hops!
Michelle: (before Wilson can shout Grasshopper or Kangaroo again) BUNNY!! Huh? Bunny Stew?
Miriam: yes, another word...
Bernice: Rabbit!!!
Miriam: Yes...another word!
Michelle: Hare!
(correct answer...finally...after tt bizarre turn)

Michelle: famous hollywood actress...
Miriam: Julia Roberts!
(Correct answer. Female intuition returns again, to exasperate the guys)

Miriam: if you're in the Olympics...you can get disqualified because of...
Gals: STEROIDS!!
(Correct answer. Guys were baffled though...cos the first thing they thought of was 'cheating'. haha!)

Bernice: yellow...another word for yellow?
Miriam: Red? Blue? Green?
Bernice: *laughs* no...*stumped*
(Correct answer: Carrot. she wanted us to say 'orange'. but cldn't say rabbit/ bugs bunny etc)
Wilson: you should have said 'chai tau kway' (does frying action)
Bernice: *laughs* (actions are not permitted actually)
Miriam: we can use such colloquial words?
Aaron: Can! Eh, last time you all said TAU HUAY and CHAR SIEW ok!

Bernice: that guy is such a....
Miriam: *quite excitedly* LOSER!!
Mich: *looks a bit worried at the unhealthy influence she may have imposed upon Miriam, since the last Taboo game. recall the words tt i used like 'jerk'/bastard'?*
Bernice: you're not creative, so rigid....you're a...
Mich: Bore!
(Correct answer)

====================================================================

Lesson of the day: Wilson's default answer to most clues is either grasshopper or kangaroo. haha!

Saturday, March 18, 2006

God loveth adverbs

Taken from Philip Yancey's "Rumours of another world"...which I am desperately trying to finish. Yes, I am committing myself to ONE bk for a change.

This passage has helped me to refresh my view of the mundane things I do each day, as part of my job....the vocal exercises, the grading, the manual amendments, the e-mails, figuring out chords, sourcing for songs etc. It's all worth it in the end...

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last."

Andrea: think u'll enjoy the last paragraph abt finding God in 'English Composition 101'. :)

====================================================================
"The Puritans had a saying, 'God loveth adverbs,' implying that God cares more about the spirit in which we live them than the concrete results. They sought to connect all of life to its source in God, bringing the two words together rather than dividing them into sacred and secular....

I heard one clue from the Lutheran professor and author Martin Marty who described his professional life this way: 'I go to work because I have a job that's part of a career, which is part of a profession that I do because of my vocation that is the shape of my life.' Marty had grasped the big picture, his calling, which put everything else in place. Somehow the daily tasks required-in his case, grading papers, lectures, committee meetings, writing, and research- fit together as rungs of a ladder leading all the way up to a VOCATION, a word taken from the Latin for 'calling.' Marty went on to say that a sense of calling may be the most important step for any who seek fulfilment and meaning....

My friend the late Lew Smedes tells in his memoir of being introduced, in a class in English Composition at Calvin College, 'to a God the likes of whom I had never even heard about.' This God, says Smedes,

'liked elegant sentences and was offended by dangling modifiers. Once you believe this, where can you stop? If the Maker of the Universe admired words well put together, think of how he must love sound thought well put together, and if he loved sound thinking, how he must love a Bach concerto and if he loved a Bach concerto think of how he prized any human effort to bring a foretaste, be it ever so small, of his Kingdom of Justice and peace and happiness to the victimized people of the world. In short, I met the Maker of the Universe who loved the world he made and was dedicated to its redemption. I found the joy of the Lord, not a prayer meeting, but in English Composition 101.'

I too have learned that my work, in all its tedium, matters to the Maker of the Universe. God loveth adverbs."

Fragile Vessels

"Perhaps, I thought, while her words still hung in the air between us like a wisp of tobacco smoke- a thought to fade and vanish like smoke without a trace- perhaps all our loves are merely hints and symbols; a hill of many invisible crests; doors that open as in a dream to reveal only a further stretch of carpet and another door; perhaps you and I are types and this sadness which sometimes falls between us springs from disappontment n our search, each straining through and beyond the other, snatching a glimpse now and then of the shadow which turns the corner always a pace or two ahead of us."
- Evelyn Waugh

"The human being is constantly straining towards this infinity," concludes Vanier: "a thirst to be filled, to be recognised in one's uniqueness, a thirst to be free, to be loving, to be a source of life for others...Our thirst is infinite but it is carried in fragile vessels." - Jean Vanier

"It is precisely because of the eternity outside time that everything in time becomes valuable and important and meaningful. Therefore Christianity...makes it of urgent importance that everything we do here should be rightly related to what we eternally ar. 'Eternal life' is the sole sanction for the values of this life."- Dorothy L. Sayers

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

"Munich"

"An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind." - Gandhi

I spent the afternoon watching "Munich" at Lido tdy, which was a pretty refreshing and rare treat.

Try and catch it before it ends it's run in the cinemas. It's not often that a movie as powerful as this comes along. It's one of those films that really RESONATE. For me, it reminded me of "Schindler's List" (also by Spielberg)....which really scared me to death (how can humans be so cruel???), but I think it is a 'must-watch' because it really gives us valuable lessons from history.
[btw, i know some of you out there have still no idea what the 'Holocaust' is about. Honestly, it's appalling!! Pls go read up!]

"Munich" was incredibly intense, brutally harsh, and thought-provoking for me....in fact I was so disturbed after that, I was half-wondering how to go to class and teach.

Here's the basic plot: During the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, eleven Israeli athletes are taken hostage and murdered by a Palestinian terrorist group known as Black September. In retaliation, the Israeli government recruits a group of Mossad agents to track down and execute those responsible for the attack.

"Munich" will challenge your idea of morality, humanity, cause you to question the thin line between justice and vengeance, and the cost of 'righteousness'. At the same time, it also interweaves themes such as the vicious cycle of unforgiveness, the idea/ reality of 'home' and exile (interestingly, which i researched for in my honours thesis), the sacredness of life, and the basic human need for safety and love.

After a while, the truth that really hit home, was that we are actually more alike in many ways than different. It's easy to point fingers and accuse the 'enemy'....but when we realize that we are mostly all driven by the same causes/ needs (eg. for our own 'land'/ home, for respect, recognition,out of self-defence, by insecurities, pride etc)...it can become dreadfully frightening. It's easier for us to 'cross the line' than we think. Hence, we must not forget the lessons from history.

Monday, March 13, 2006

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

It's been quite a wkend I must say. Started off pretty rough (it still is sometimes)...I was going into my 'Ee-yore' phase: "nobody loves me, everybody hates me, i wanna eat some worms". But God wldn't let me mope for too long....He heard and answered my prayers, HE SANG OVER ME :)...and He unveiled Himself through many of you ard me.

Thank you Jesus! All in all, it turned out to be a pretty amazing wkend. :)Allow me to get all messy and mushy here as I appreciate my frens, and thank God for placing them ard me.

My sweet, wonderful friends in Australia....sigh....I dunno wot wld happen to me without you!!Seriously! You put up with so much from me.

Pammy: I love and miss you so much it hurts. Thank you for being such a sweet, endearing, supportive fren. Even though you're so far away, it seems like you're my most constant and concrete form of comfort and love. :) Yes, fuzzy fuzzy, spongy spongy. haha!

Audwee: I'm so glad and touched that you called on Sun!!! It was great to hear your voice, to be able to laugh together and have our 'random' conversations again. Thanks dear for EVERYTHINGGGGG!!!

My JC classmates- May and Rie: Dinner and coffee on Fri was mad, and really fabulous! It was a great stress-reliever meeting up with u gals. Thanks for always caring.

Lishan- my friend from PL...we've known each other since we were annoying kids in Primary 2. We were best friends for ages, but grew apart for a while. Recently though, we've been reconnecting again. I met her on Sat, and we had such fun. It felt very comforting to be able to whine to her things like "Lishannnn....when we grow older, I want to stay in the same apt blk as u, so I can pop by everyday and bug youuuuu!" (Lishan whinges and goes 'warrau, nightmare ah!' hehe!), or bug her to hold my hand (she humoured me reluctantly, for all of 7 secs). haha! I'm glad to hv her back in my life again. :)
Ironically though, I'm growing distant from another PL friend....oh well, you can't hv everything i guess.

Candy- my cousin from Sabah, who's in town looking for a job. I met her on Sun to bring her ard. We went to the Esplanade and the Singapore Art Musuem. I was never really close to her, but I suppose her being in Spore and all, gave me a gd chance to know her better. I truly enjoyed chatting with her on Sun (and for me, when its family, that bonding is even more special)...and we had a stimulating, sublime time at the Art Museum too! (the current exhibitions are really gd...one of which is Cubism in Asia. I felt so refreshed, and inspired! Made me miss studying Art History in NUS all over again).

Teck: Ah Bu, it was gd to have tt little sms conversation with you.It's been too long since we had a proper talk. Well, thanks for remembering Moomoo. But you still owe me beer at Timbre!!!

Yinshian: I'm sooooo happy that we're bk in the same church again!:)Congrats on ur proposal. Hee!

Fuzzify....again!

Image hosting by Photobucket

Meet my cuddly 'frens'- Jadie on the left, and erm...Horsie on the right (haven't found a name for him yet). Jadie was given to me by Pammy (and I've named the bear after her baptism name, Jade)...and I hug it every night before sleeping... bcos I can't hug Pam now. :) Audrey wanted to see a pic of my baby blue horse, which is a new addition...n he literally ROCKS! Well, so here he is! teehee!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Glimmers.....

"We are all of us more mystics than we believe or choose to believe...We have seen more than we let on, even to ourselves. Through some moment of beauty or pain, some subtle turning of our lives, we catch glimmers at least of what te saints are blinded by; only then, unlike the saints, we go on as though nothing has happened. To go on as though something has happened, even though we are not sure what it was or just where we are supposed to go with it, is to enter the dimension of life tha religion is a word for."
- Frederick Buechner from 'A Room Called Remember'

"For three things I thank God for every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to- a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song." - Helen Keller

" Do not forget that the value and interest of life is not so much to do conspicuous things...as to do ordinary things with the perception of their enormous value." - Pierre Teilhard De Chardin

Friday, March 10, 2006

"Quiet is the new loud"

That's the name of a "Kings of Convenience" album. They're a pair from Norway,one of the leading groups in this whole New Folk Acoustic movement.Like the papers are saying, suddenly less is more, and everyone is singing in barely there whispers, controlled falsettos, and stripped down, quiet acoustic guitars. I'm not gonna complain, since I love acoustic folk music. :)

Check out the lyrics in these Kings of Convenience songs. Beautiful, intense, poetic, surrealistic imagery.
I love that line: "the world is soft around her". (swoon).

WINNING A BATTLE, LOSING THE WAR (MP3 at:http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music)
==================================================================
Even though I'll never need her
Even though she's only giving me pain
I'll be on my knees to feed her
Spend a day to make her smile again.
As the world is soft around her,
leaving me with nothing to disdain
Even though I'm not her minder,
even though she doesn't want me around,
I am on my feet to find her,
to make sure that she is safe and sound,
to make sure that she is safe from harm.

The sun sets on the war,
the day breaks and everything is new.


SINGING SOFTLY TO ME (MP3 at http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music )
=======================================================
Things seem so much better when
they're not part of your close surroundings
Like words in a letter sent
amplified by the distance
possibilities and sweeter dreams
Sights and sounds calling from far away
I didn't know you then, now did I girl?
I couldn't hear you singing softly to me
I didn't see the brave girl so near me,
I wanted a mystery that couldn't be solved
I wanted a puzzle with pieces missing.
I wanted a story that couldn't be told
only the fishing part of fishing

And now I find
it was you all the time.
I'm in love again-
It's too late now.

WAFFs (Warm and Fuzzy Feelings)

Woke up this morning, after a rough night, to a heartwarming sms from Pammy in Sydney. :)

"I woke up this morning, feeling kinda blue,
and I stumbled out of bed, dragged my feet across the rm
Right outside my window, was a rose and a note that said:
Somebody loves you." - 'Angel in Disguise' by Corrinne May-

[Disclaimer: This is not like some 'Brokeback Outback' episode ok! I'm not lesbo...I just really love my dear fren Pammy, and we're very affectionate. :p ]

Pammy: I miss you my sweet love
Mich: I miss you too my love!! So much!! Now my eyes all puffy...nehneh.
Pammy: Poor sweetie. I miss you. Went to "Pancakes on the Rocks" last night. Love the crepes!
Mich: I luv dat place! 24 hrs too. Don't order the sausages tho'. A bit gross. Man, wish i was there.
Pammy: Yeah, the crepe was really gd. Better than the pancakes.:) I wanna learn how to make
Mich: I baked portobello mushroom with cheese and herbs. Very ez, Andrea taught me. :)
Pammy: So annoying. That's one of my fav stuff to eat! Bleah. Can you send some over?

"To Sleep, Perchance To Dream...."

It's really odd, but I still get nightmares about forgetting to cram for an impt final yr exam! n I'll wake up in a panic thinking I have to do the impossible, like read 4 Lit texts within 2 days or something.

Residual undergrad anxiety??

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

His Blanket of Love

" Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me-
A prayer to the God of my life." - Psalm 42:8

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust." -Psalm 91:1-2


==================================================================

The pressures of life have a way of caving in on you sometimes....
This week has been stressful for me....work is piling up, we are also undergoing staff appraisals so my boss has been sitting into our classes (which was slightly nerve-wrecking); then there's usual STUFF to be dealt with as well (outside work tt is). It wldn't be an understatement to say that I've been a bag of nerves and jitters this wk. Even as I'm writing, I'm still running on crazy adrenaline. haha!

Well, here's something I've learnt during the week that helped sustain me. My classes have been going through the song "I could sing of Your love forever". I was sharing with my students how they ought to closely examine the lyrics and appreciate them, cos its really such a beautiful song with poetic lyrics. At the heart of the song, is a very open, simple and child-like spirit.

No inhibitions, no self-consciousness...but total trust and confidence, restedness in the Lord's love for us. That really frees you to live. Awesome stuff.


I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (Martin Smith)
-------------------------------------------------
Over the mountains and the sea, Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart, and let the Healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth, and I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing of when Your love came down.

Chorus:
I could sing of YOur love forever (x 4)

Bridge:
Oh I feel like dancing
It's foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the light
It will dance with joy
Like we're dancing now

--------------------------------------------------------------------

So many of us know (mentally) that God loves us....but how many of us TRULY know it, experience it afresh daily, and just DELIGHT in it? I realized how impt it is to take time out of my bz schedule to just rest in God's love for me, to rejoice in it, to soak in it, to let Him BLANKET me in it. Afterall, it is His love that fuels me, that drives me on daily.

I shared all of that with my students...and I was sooooo glad and blessed when this 15 yr old American gal, Katie, came up to me to say: "thanks for that lesson. It was simply great! Not just the techniques, but spiritually too." Thank you Jesus! :)

Because of all the stress surrounding me this week...I realize that I've been spending more time on my guitar/ keyboard. One of the songs that I've been singing over and over again was Corrinne May's "Safe in a crazy world". It reassures me that in spite of the bad/scary things that might happen to me/ pple who come along to frustrate me etc....it's gonna be ok, cos GOD IS MY BLANKET!!! Yes...I can breathe again. :)

May: there is a reference in the song that I think you might catch.*winkz* Clue..its in one of the verses.

Pammy: yes, your msn nick is 'safe in a crazy world' too! I love you sweetie!! God will keep u safe in Sydney. hee! *lots of hugssssss*

Audwee: yeah, pitter patter in the 'puddle of grace'. haha! I'm glad to know it induced the WAFFS for you. You are missed my dear Audweeeee.

==================================================================

SAFE IN A CRAZY WORLD (Corrinne May)
-------------------------------------
I try to smile my tears away
I try to keep my cool
Oh but one more door gets in my way
I feel like such a fool
Trampled and bitter
My heart just wants to bleed and stop
Believing in me

It feels like nothing is for certain
and that nothing comes for free
When they're lowering the curtain
to the theatre of my dreams
I stumble and I crumbled and I'm
Sinking to my knees but you
You cradle me

Chorus:
You keep me flying
You keep me smiling
You keep me safe in a crazy world
You understand me
Embrace my fragility
You keep me safe in a crazy world
And in your arms I find the strength
to believe in me again

Noise keeps chasing me
No matter where I go
Oh and life likes pretending that it's
On a TV show
When it's hard to tell what's real
From what the world just wants to preach
You are the voice I seek

Bridge:
'cause when I'm wrapped up in Your arms
Nothing else can touch me
What a wonderful way to recharge
I feel like I can breathe again

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Taboo!!!

You can learn a lot about how guys and gals communicate and think, just from one night of Taboo. Last nite, my colleagues and I stayed bk after class for a game of Taboo....we split up into 2 teams: guys vs gals....and it was just the weirdest, most hilarious Taboo game i've ever played.

Here are some amusing 'soundbites':

GUYS:
=======

Aaron: You need to take this to survive....(points to a bottle of mineral water)
Wilson: ICE-KACHANG!!!!!
*obviously some of us need diff things to survive*
(Answer: Bottled Water)

Aaron: Ok, you can buy this from downstairs.....or we can brew it with our machine here (points to the coffee machine in the pantry)
Daniel Wilson and Wilson *simultaneously and excitedly*: SLURPEE!!!
(Answer: Coffee)

Daniel Wilson: Ok...its red, its an insect...
Guys: Moth!! Beetle!! Cockroach!
Daniel Wilson: Noooo.....another word for woman.
Wilson: Lady!
Aaron: Oh oh i know!! It's a WO-MOTH!
* a what????*
(Answer: Ladybug)

Aaron: Ah, its very delicious...we all like to eat this...
Guys (VERY excitedly): BAK KWA! EGG-TART! TAU HUAY!!!
(Answer: i can't rem...but why wld these words b on a Taboo flashcard in the first place?!?!?)

Daniel Wilson: Alright...EVERY computer has this!
Wilson: VIRUS!!!!!
Daniel Wilson: NO...if u go under 'Entertainment', you usually find a few of these. One of them is free cell....
Wilson: SOLITUDE!!!
(Answer: Solitaire)

Aaron: ah!!! this one u shld know ok! its a smelly part of ur body
Wilson: Backside! ARMPIT!!
(Answer: Armpit. finally.)

===================================================================

GALS (who for the record, kicked the guys' asses SO BADLY, we didn't even bother to tally the score)
===================================================================

Miram: Famous hollywood director
Mich: Steven Spielberg!
(Correct Answer)

Miriam: you go to zouk, and you order a ...
Mich: BEER!!!!!!!!
Miriam: it comes in a glass tts shaped like this (does V shape with fingers)
Mich: Martini
(how can i get this wrong? duh!)

Mich: you 2 play this..
Gals: KEYBOARD!
(correct)

Miriam: Michelle's fav animal..
Bernice: HORSE!
Miriam: 2nd word, i wear this at the bottom of my body
Bernice: SHOE! HORSE-SHOE!
(correct)

Mich: its kinda like a field in history...
Bernice: Archaelogy
(Correct. how did she get tt so fast? i didn't even say dinosaurs yet)

Mich: ok, blonde actor...short....acted in movies in the 80s...
Miriam: Michael J. Fox!
(Correct..amazingly)

Mich: its a book n tv show, its Brit....something "guide to the galaxy"
Miriam: Hitchhiker!
*guy team moans in dis-belief*
(Answer: Hitch)

and this one is the winner....
Miriam: that guy is such a....
Mich (albeit a bit too excitedly): JERK!!! BASTARD!!!
*mad laughter from Aaron in the guys' camp*
(Answer: Jerk)

==================================================================

Lesson of the day: Guys don't listen (but they sure love their fd), and Gals make an effort to know each other, and they can be freakingly intuitive.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

"Puddle of Grace"

This is taken from the 'Felicity' soundtrack.:)A pretty, poignant acoustic guit tune you can hear on my Multiply website (along with the famous 'ahhhh' Felicity theme song, and a Sarah McLachlan tune...or as Meghan sarcastically labelled it...'Ben music'. haha!)http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

The sentimental freak in me is totally loving,and savouring that show now....
its just so nostalgic watching it all over again, reminds me of those crazy JC/ NUS 'growing up' days. Now if only I had enuff money to buy all 4 Seasons on DVD! haha!

====================================================================

Puddle Of Grace
by Amy Jo Johnson

Have you seen yourself today?
Could you recognize your face?
Can you tell me what to say
Mine's lost without a trace

Momma can you help me please?
My hero just stabbed me
With a knife that I did lend
'Oh momma whos my friend

Tell me, tell me where do you go when all the diamonds have run dry
Tell me, tell me how do you feel after bittersweet goodbye's

I had almost found my face
I was almost me
But my pride couldn't swallow what I ate
Boy I hope you're happy

Tell me, tell me where do you go when all the diamonds have run dry
Tell me, tell me how do you feel after bittersweet goodbye's

How do you feel when all the diamonds have run dry?
How do you feel after bittersweet goodbye's?

Today I found my face
Floating in a puddle of grace
A porcelin doll with cracks to mend
Oh momma I found a friend

Oh momma I found a friend
Oh momma I found a friend

"Keep it secret, keep it safe..."

I can't believe this is for real, its the stuff of fantasy and crime/mystery novels. Absolutely brilliant and bizarre! I gotta get me one of these! :)

http://www.hiddenpassageway.com