Chick Flicks

I was out with my gfs from PL on Sat. Had such a lovely day...went to an Italian restaurant at Labrador Park, and then had drinks and desert at 'Altivo' at Mt Faber. On the way home, I discovered my fren had the "One Fine Day" soundtrack in her car (i was searching for it!). Then the torrent of chick flick gushing started.

"OMG!, So sweet can die rite?"
"George Clooney is so hot lah!"
"Do u remember the part when they were running in the rain, and he carried her over a puddle! OMG OMG!!" etc etc
"Do u remember the part when he appears at her doorstep at nite, with the goldfish??"
"i always play the dvd when it's raining outside!! haha!"

My crazy fren has watched "One Fine Day" so many times, that she can tell me when each song from the soundtrack appears on the film! Beat that! (well, i guess i can do that for "You've got mail"). haha! i was very amused and happy...cos we had such a fun time swooning, sighing,and gushing COLLECTIVELY in the car. At one point...we really weren't making much sense....blame it on the emo music (esp the tracks 'One Fine Day' and 'What a difference a day made')

"OMG!! The sky...look at it...it's so....DARK! n BEAUTIFUL!" (soppy woppy wailing ensues)
I know...the guys just don't get it, they'll never understand this emo shit. haha!

Anyway, I've posted up these "One Fine Day" songs on my multiply website. Along with LOADS OF new stuff from Damien Rice,and Chris Botti. Some songs from the "Serendipity" soundtrack will be posted soon too. (i don't really fancy the movie, but the soundtrack is quite nice.:))Time to get all soppy woppy!! Heh!

http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music


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

One Fine Day
==============
One fine day, you´ll look at me
And you will know our love was, meant to be
One fine day, you´re gonna want me for your girl

The arms I long for, will open wide
And you´ll be proud to have me, right by your side
One fine day, you´re gonna want me for your girl

Though I know you´re the kind of boy
Who only wants to run around
I´ll keep waiting, and, someday darling
You´ll come to me when you want to settle down

One fine day, we´ll meet once more
And then you´ll want the love you threw away before
One fine day, you´re gonna want me for your girl

One fine day, you´re gonna want me for your girl


What A Difference A Day Made
===============================
What a difference a day made
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain

My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
Since you said you were mine

What a difference a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss

It's heaven when you find romance on your menu
What a difference a day made
And the difference is you

Melt

I was watching this documentary on cable, about Jamie Oliver's campaign to improve the quality of school dinners in the UK (ang moh kids eat A LOT of junk fd man). And there was this magical, totally heart-warming moment: Jamie was taking a break at home, playing with his toddler daughter on his knee. She has a lovely head of blonde curls and a mischievous grin.

Baby Girl: Hello! (with proper Brit accent and all.so adorable!)
Jamie: Hello!
Baby Girl: I like you.
Jamie: I like you too. *smile*

Live to Love

"He liveth best who loveth best.
All creatures great and small,
for the good God who loveth us,
He made them first of all." - Coleridge-

This term, I have an autistic kid in my class....she is 14 yrs old. The first 2 lessons with her were quite trying I must say. She is quite weak in terms of relating to people, she speaks VERY LOUDLY (with slurred dicton)...and at inappropriate times too. Plus her singing is all over the place, off-pitch, no sense of time, and super loud. She threw a lot of her classmates off....i felt quite lousy after those 2 lessons.

When I called up her parents, I found out she was autistic....and her mum gave me some tips on how to manage her daughter. Basically, I have to give her very clear, firm instructions, and use more visuals/ actions to communicate with her. When she does something right, I need to be very encouraging and praise her.

On the third lesson,I applied those tips (not ez tho', cos I really had to multi-task: paying attn to 6 students and their indiv needs, speak out instructions,sing and play the keyboard, and occasionally use one hand to communicate with the kid with actions.)...and to my surprise, the kid behaved really well! She was quite a sweet darling. :)Her pitching and timing improved tremendously too. Thank God her classmates were really patient and understanding! Phew!

First time in my 3 yrs of teaching that I've encountered an autistic kid....but I do appreciate the challenge. I am so glad God came through for me. I prayed that He would grant me patience, and to help me see the kid through His eyes. It's been an exercise in love I must say....and it's definitely all the more rewarding in cases like these. :) I realize we have some pretty inspiring, courageous students in the school....I've had old retirees who are 'garang' enuff to continue learning, a vocal student with damaged vocal cords; the keyboard coaches have a deaf student, a student with stubs for fingers, a wheel-chair bound student etc. It's just so beautiful isn't it? :)

Phone call

On Mon, I received a telephone call from Audrey (in Brisbane) while I was working in the office. The start of our conversation went like this:

Mich: Audweeeeeeeee!!!!! (in sweetened, slightly whispery tones...I missed her so much, and was feeling a mixture of surprise, excitement,gladness and relief )
Audrey: Micheee?? Why do u sound like that? *laughs*
Mich: Audweeeeeee!!!
Audrey: Where are you now?
Mich: I'm at work....wait ah, let me find a classroom...more privacy. Audweeeeeeee!!!!!
Audrey: Stoppit stoppit!! You're gonna make me cry!
Mich: Me too!!
(both of us fighting back tears at this point)
Audrey: Ok ok, stoppit! Let's talk abt something bimbo!

I'm quite surprised at how emotional we got over a phonecall. haha! But we've both been going through some tough times, fighting our own battles.....and we can only share via e-mail/ smses most of the time. So to hear her voice over the phone....was quite a big deal for me. So much more personal. Tt's why we 'lost it' I think.

I love you dear. And am praying for you every step of the way. :) Can't wait for you to return, and for us to take up our salsa classes. haha!

Pammy, my love in Sydney, on the other hand....has been sending me really funny msn msges like:
"do u think God hates me for my gluttony?" (she's been attacking tubs of ice-cream)
"should I buy the Gummibears DVD?" (eventually she bought 5 seasons....at a grand total of $65)
" what's that song abt rainbows from sesame st?" (she meant Muppets. "Rainbow Connection")

Pammy makes me laugh lah. :) Thank God for these angels down-under. haha!

Thank God for Bernice too....my lovely, encouraging colleague, whom I get to travel home with on most days. I look fwd to our chats on the bus all the time. :) Last nite, I blurted out "All men are scum. I hate men! Well....except for Sting". (Ok my dear brothers, pls don't take me too seriously. I was quite emotional, pms-ey when I said tt. I love you guys k? But u DO know, tt men CAN be scum at times rite? : p *runs for cover from the maddening male crowd*)

Anyway, Bernice was quite amused...and had to add her own revised version of my statement.
"All men are scum. I hate men. Except for Sting...and Henry" (her bf. who is seriously seriously, a GOOD, NICE guy.)

Our third revision stands as:
"All men are scum. I hate men. Except for Sting...and Henry...and Reg" (Andrea's husband who is not scum either. haha!)

Alrite....who else wld like to add names to that list? hahaha!

"The Blower's Daughter" (Damien Rice)

I'm in love.....with the Irish troubadour, Damien Rice. I heard his album "O" before, but it didn't impress or move me, till now. Like Andrea mentioned before, sometimes it's timing. His music style is intimate and organic...his vocal delivery is very plaintive, raw with emotional honesty. As for his lyrics....like one reviewer said, "they are so deep, they burn". Can weep man....I wish I could upload the songs onto my Multiply site...but my quota has been filled up for this mth. So y'all wait for a bit!

The whole album is really gd. But I can't post all the lyrics here. If you want to see all the lyrics...you can go to http://www.damienrice.com/lyrics.html. I can't believe I didn't get tix to his upcoming concert here. Feel like kicking myself.

Anyway, here are 2 songs. I heard Ngak singing the first song, "The Blower's Daughter", at Timbre....*swoon*. "I can't take my eyes off you..."


The Blower's Daughter
========================
and so it is
just like you said it would be
life goes easy on me
most of the time
and so it is
the shorter story
no love no glory
no hero in her skies
i can't take my eyes off of you
and so it is
just like you said it should be
we'll both forget the breeze
most of the time
and so it is
the colder water
the blower's daughter
the pupil in denial
i can't take my eyes off of you
did I say that I loathe you?
did I say that I want to
leave it all behind?
i can't take my mind off of you
my mind
'til I find somebody new


Delicate
==============
we might kiss
when we are alone
when nobody’s watchin’
we might take it home
we might make out
when nobody's there
it's not that we're scared
it's just that it's delicate
so why d’ya fill my sorrow
with the words you've borrowed
from the only place you've known
why d’ya sing hallelujah
if it means nothin’ to ya
why d’ya sing with me at all?
we might live
like never before
when there's nothin’ to give
how can we ask for more?
we might make love
in some sacred place
that look on your face
is delicate
so why d’ya fill my sorrow
with the words you've borrowed
from the only place you've known
why d’ya sing hallelujah
if it means nothin’ to ya
why d’ya sing with me at all?

"So Nice"

I wanna shift out of my parents' home,
Find my own place...and maybe get a whole
"Friends" set-up. :) That would be a dream...

I wanna learn Salsa
(i'm serious, who's game?)
Take up French,
Play the Cello,
Go New Zealand for sky-diving, snow-boarding,
white-water rafting....
Own my own cottage in Blue Mts, Sydney
(with a little King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Luka),
And of course, I wanna learn horse-riding (properly)

I wanna get high from jamming with my band again,
and singing to a live audience,
and hanging out over jugs of beer after a gig.

I wanna rock out with Pammy at the mosh-pit,
for the U2 concert in Sydney (lucky gal!!!)
I wanna visit Sting's villa in Tuscany,
and sip wine with him and Chris Botti (he's so hot lah) on the balcony,
while watching the clouds roll by....
I wanna watch a Kings of Convenience concert in Norway,
amidst hushed stillness and magical, fairy-lights

I wanna explore old libraries and museums in Europe,
Zip around on a little Vespa, A la Audrey Hepburn,
Watch the world go by in some Al Fresco cafe,
Read a good book in some charming, English garden.

I wanna take off....
"So nice...that would be so nice..."

Paradise Lost

"Who were the two artists of ancient times who competed to see who could paint the visible world most faithfully? 'Now I shall prove to you that I am the best,' said the first, showing the other a curtain which he had painted. 'Well, draw back the curtain,' said the adversary, 'and let us see the picture.' 'The curtain is the picture,' replied the first with a laugh." - Nikos Kazantzakis

"In the history of humanity there are no civilizations or cultures which fail to manifest, in one of a thousand ways, this need for an absolute that is called heaven, freedom, a miracle, a lost paradise to be regained, peace, the going beyond History...There is no religion in which everyday life is not considered a prison; there is no philosophy or ideology that does not think we live in alienation...Humanity has always had a nostalgia for the freedom that is only beauty, that is only real life, plenitude, light."
-Eugene Inoesco

"And try to be happy by being admired by men, or loved by women, or warm with liquor, or full of lust, or getting possessions and treasures: that turns you away, soon, from the love of God then men, women, and drink and lust and greed take precedence over God; and they darken His light....
And then we are unhappy and afraid and angry and fierce, and impatient, and cannot pray, and cannot sit still. That is the bitter yoke of sin: and for this we leave the mild and easy yoke of Christ." - Thomas Merton


Heaven (Los Lonely Boys)
=====================
" Save me from this prison
Lord help me get away
'Cause only you can save me now
From this misery

Well I've been lost in my own place
And I'm getting weary
How far is heaven?
And I know that I need to change
My ways of lving
How far is heaven?
Lord, can you tell me?

Tu que estas en alto cielo, hechame tu bendicion"
[ translated from Spanish: you that's in a higher place, send me down a blessing]

I'm Sensitive

I just bought Jewel's debut album "Pieces Of You". (yes, I'm quite a few yrs behind i know). Partially under the influence of Shannon....one of my colleagues, who shares my passion for music by female folk singers. While, I won't say that I ADORE Jewel's sound...I must say she has a unique, characteristic sound of her own, and pretty good, nuanced delivery and song-writing skills. Respect!

She's got a sense of humour as too.....see this little chorus from her song "I'm Sensitive".
I totally identify with it btw. :)

"So please be careful with me
I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way"

Another song that I like (for the lyrics, not the melody) is this. Reminds me of Corrinne May's song "Shelter", which I posted a while back.

"Angel Standing by" (Jewel)
======================
All through the night I'll be standing over you
All through the night 'll be watching over you
And through bad times I'll be right there, baby
Holding your hand, telling you everything is all right
And when you cry I'll be right there
Telling you you were never anything less than beautiful
So don't you worry
I'm your angel standing by

Awwwwww!! Isn't that so sweet?? Brings out one's protective instincts.

"Hello, hello...HOLA!"

Yesterday, I was chatting with 2 friends over msn (shall just call them E and G). They know that I'm kinda going through a rough patch, and they suggested that I try smoking pot to help me relax!! LOL!!! I can't believe them! Really cracked me up.

E is studying in Australia...so its available there you see (sorry E, thanks for the offer, but i'm NOT marrying you. You DO have a gf afterall.) Then, G gently reminded me that it's illegal in S'pore....and that i'd probably hate it anyway, cos I don't enjoy smoking (i'm still stifling giggles here) Guys, thanks for making me laugh!

Then while talking to Pammy just now, she sent me this URL for some ice-cream that she's currently obsessed with. She's got 4 tubs (tiramisu, creme brulee, vanilla, caramel pear) in her fridge right now. She can be so random, but I so love her for that quirk. hehe!

Andrea and I were gushing over how much we are enjoying U2....how infectious the guit riff is for "Vertigo". We were joking abt hollering "Hello hello, HOLA!!!" to Bernice who was teaching her class or something. Farneee! And so this is for you Andrea. haha! HOLA!!!!!!!!!

Vertigo (U2)
==========
Chorus:

Hello, Hello
Hola! [Spanish for Hello]
I'm at a place called vertigo (¿Dónde está?) [Where is it?]
It's everything I wish I didn't know
Except you give me something I can feel
Feel

Let it RIP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I'm in the mood for some serious ROCK'N'ROLL!!!! I've uploaded some tracks by 'The Darkness', U2, Matchbox 20 and Train. (would upload more, but i've exceeded my quota for the mth). Sometimes you just wanna go crazy, head-bang and drink beer with your friends. haha! Who's in the mood for that?? I haven't been to Timbre for a long time. heh!

http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

"Foolish Games"- Jewel

http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

Thanks May for the mp3....time to sing-a-long and get all emo!! ha!

"Foolish Games"-Jewel
=============================
You took your coat off and stood in the rain,
You're always crazy like that.
And I watched from my window,
Always felt I was outside looking in on you.
You're always the mysterious one with
Dark eyes and careless hair,
You were fashionably sensitive
But too cool to care.
You stood in my doorway, with nothing to say
Besides some comment on the weather.

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Well in case you failed to notice,
In case you failed to see,
This is my heart bleeding before you,
This is me down on my knees, and...

[Chorus]
These foolish games are tearing me apart,
And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart.
You're breaking my heart.

You're always brilliant in the morning,
Smoking your cigarettes and talking over coffee.
Your philosophies on art, Baroque moved you.
You loved Mozart and you'd speak of your loved ones
As I clumsily strummed my guitar.
You'd teach me of honest things,
Things that were daring, things that were clean.
Things that knew what an honest dollar did mean.
I hid my soiled hands behind my back.
Somewhere along the line, I must've gone
Off track with you.

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Well, excuse me, guess I've mistaken you for somebody else,
Somebody who gave a damn,
Somebody more like myself.

[Chorus]
You took your coat off,
Stood in the rain,
You're always crazy like that.

"Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day"

Gospel music. I've been getting bk into it. It's so intense, expressive,uplifting, honest and soulful. Very therapeutic for me now. Here are some amazing gems from the "Sister Act 2" soundtrack. YOU MUST, YOU MUST at least give a listen to "His eye is on the sparrow" and "Joyful, joyful". Let it blow your brains out! haha! The vocals are incredible....Lauryn Hill does some killer runs.

http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

Here are the lyrics to 2 of the songs. "Joyful Joyful" in particular, has such creative and beautifully crafted lyrics. This is the best-known of van Dyke's hymns. He stated his purpose in writing it as follows:

"These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time, hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy their religion or that any revolution on earth will overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore these are hymns of trust and hope."

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
==============================
(Henry Van Dyke 1852-1933)

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee
Hail Thee as the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day


His Eye Is On The Sparrow
==========================
(C.D Martin and Charles H.Gabriel)

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches
I know He watches
I know He watches me

Next on the 'hit list': DW

Ok, this is prob annoying those of you who are NOT my colleagues. So just ignore this post if you ain't interested. It's more of an indulgent 'newsletter' for us at BMI. heh!


The note that was slotted into Daniel Wilson's file.
"You got punk'd, Nelly! Muahahaha!"


Next to go on were the plasters (a Nelly trademark. this whole Nelly thing started when DW showed us how he cld play a Nelly song on the keyboard. it was hilarious!)....followed by layers n layers of clingfoil!


Another view of the final pdt. n Danny went "erm...but April Fool's day is over oredi rite?". Er yeahhh...but we dun care, everyone's gonna kena!


Aaron must be real bored. I got HIT AGAIN!!! 3 times tdy....n so many pple were involved again. Man, my poor, vulnerable soft toys! First he hid them under some cushions. I found them and put them back in their basket.

2nd round, Aaron, Bel and Danny scattered them all ard the office..some under tables, in the microwave (!!!), on plants etc. It was like a freaking treasure hunt! Some of the coaches helped to hunt for them too. (must be funny for students to overhear us from the counter. "where's the unicorn???") I found them again, put them back.
The 3rd round, Aaron tied them all together with string, and hung them on the sprinkler!!! Warrau!

Thank gdness Danny was kind enuff to rescue them...and leave incriminating clues (he left the remainder string poking out of Aaron's locker). Ok guys....ENUFF OF THE FOOLING ARD WITH MY POOR TOYS!!!

Over the rainbow

Yeah yeah, warm n fuzzy music. I've posted a few tracks from the "You've got mail" soundtrack onto my Multiply site. It's my all-time fav movie! haha!
http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

Steph, I'll post the United Live tracks another day. Got no time leh. hehe!

Barter Trade??

Yeah, apparently it ain't over yet...the mischief in BMI tt is. Looks like this is just the beginning of more madness. hehe!
Here in the pic, we have Dorcas on the left, and Miriam on the right. Remember the last time, Aaron left a note on my basket of soft toys that said 'For sale, 1 for $0.20'? Well, Dorcas and Miriam are taking it quite seriously. Dorcas is trying to barter trade her banana (worth $0.20) for one of my soft toys, which Miriam is gleefully handing over to her. Tsk tsk!

Another funny idea they came up with was to grab all my 6 soft toys, and leave a $2 note in the basket, together with a note that says:
"Keep the change". haha!

Berno gets hit....

Guess who was next on the 'hit list'? haha! Our dear Bernice with her 'tortured bear'. Aaron and Daniel Wilson wanted to recreate a 'suicide scene', but they cldn't find any string for the bear to hang on. This was the best they could come up with. haha!

April Fool's Day @BMI

It was a glorious day of mischief at the office. Andrea, Bernice and I plotted a prank against Aaron over MSN(our naughty boy who barricaded Danny's cubicle with C.S.I tape on Mon nite). What we didn't expect was how the prank would snowball and spin out of ctrl, as the other coaches caught on and wanted a bit of the action too. hahaha!

Bel and I were pleasantly surprised by everyone's enthusiasm....looks like that little kid in us is still very much alive! :) It turned out to be one of the most fun day at work, I must say. (Pammy and Andrea, wish you were there to witness for yourselves)

Here are some pics of our grand day! It's really funny to see how Aaron's locker gets more and more absurd.


Original state of Aaron's plastered locker. The official 'renovation notice' was pasted by Bernice, who came into the office at 9am.
However, Bel and I decided that the locker wasn't messy enuff, and proceeded to paste loads of masking tape on it.






Aaron arrives in the office and discovers that he's been punk'd. A big "wah lau....too much lah! Danny, is it you???" holler is heard. Danny protests and claims innocence.


Aaron realizes that it's April Fool's day and finds out the identity of the pranksters after reading the note. (B.M.A Pte Ltd standing for "Berno, Michelle, Andrea". Bernice came up with it, cos it's very similar sounding to BMI. or Cld be "Believer Music Avengers". haha!)


A sleepy Aaron with some chocs that came with the note, to make-up for the mess we made. Heh! No love lost lah....he was pretty sporting, and even said 'thank you!' for the little joke. I thought he was gonna tear everything off...but apparently he likes it so much, he wants to leave it there. haha!

Danny continues to give me funny looks after that. It makes me feel guilty, and I finally blurt out, "why you look at me lke dat??". He wags his finger at me sternly, "Naughty....I like. hahaha!"


Obviously, tt isn't the end of the tale. When the other coaches saw Aaron's locker, they joined in on the mischief, while Aaron was bz in class. Check out the classic pig's head, "Owe $$$ Pay $$$" threat written by Daniel Wilson, Miriam and Dorcas. Together they formed 'DMD Loansharks'. Fierce sia?


Danny couldn't resist pasting his own 'disclaimer' post-it: "it's not me!" But Bel scribbled across with her own 'yeah'. haha!


the FINAL item pasted on Aaron's locker. Daniel Wilson was the mastermind behind this notice. We're terrible aren't we? Posing as the boss. Check out the totally ironic sign off, 'Cheers'!


Final state of Aaron's 'vandalized' locker. He had to remove the sensitive 'you're fired' notice, in case we get into trouble with the 'authorities'. haha!


Well obviously, I knew that I wasn't gonna get away with all that so easily. I got punk'd too while I was away in class...but I guess I had it coming. haha! Aaron got his payback by kidnapping my entire basket of precious stuffed toys, and getting the recep gals to hide it. I hunted high and low for them....but the gals only gave them bk to me after class. They placed the basket on the front desk, with the notice 'for sale at $0.20 each.

BUT, the bigger prank was how Aaron stuffed loads of shredded pper into my locker and my bag....with the help of other colleagues too lah. I even have the freaking video of their 'crime'in my phone. It's quite brilliant I must say. This Bernice ah...even had the cheek to say "let's take a photo of us in action with her phone camera!". My my...she's not as innocent as she looks that gal. haha!

All in all, it was SUCH a fun day....I'm so glad to have the fellowship of my BMI family. YOU GUYS (PRANKSTERS/GANGSTERS) ROCK MY WORLD!!!! :)

Frozen Grapes Anyone??

Yes, another brilliant, eccentric idea from my funky grandma. Haha! Remember the last time I blogged abt her GIANT pineapple tarts/ CNY cookies etc? Well, I had dinner with her last nite....and she showed me her new craze...freezing her fruits (from durians, to strawberries and grapes). She forced me to try her frozen grapes, "it's like eating ice-cream lah gal!"

It wasn't a pleasant experience I tell you....frozen grapes are hard, icy, (hence, not as sweet) and sure give your teeth hell. I cringed after popping one into my mouth..."Mama, you and your crazy ideas lah!". She laughed and popped another frozen grape into her mouth.