Did I just say that??

I blurted this out a few days ago...."I think I should ask my aunts to get me a thumb drive for my birthday" (it's not that I don't have a thumb drive, but I would like those kick-ass types...2GB, which cost ard $90).

*Silence*

I can't believe I just said that. Sure doesn't sound like me....
Then last nite I asked Andrea this "Should I sell my 30GB iPod, and buy the new 80GB iPod for $350??" (Andrea has a contact who can get it real cheap you see). I mean it's freaking 80GB!!!!!
Think of the incredible number of songs I can store with that. Yes, the audiophile would just go insane.

Since when did i get so practical and techy?!?! Since when did I get excited by gigabytes??

Sweet

It's the last week of term, and students have just been amazing again. During today's presentation lesson, almost all the students broke down in tears as they shared or listened to their classmates talk about their walk with God, and His faithfulness in their lives. It was truly a moving tear fest......and it all started with this humble, simple Indonesian student of mine, Hady (no not Sg Idol lah!). A GUY, the first to cry in class!!!! I did not see that coming.....but it was a preview of lots more to come.

I joked with one of the girls to leave her tissue packet on the music stand, cos I anticipated that it would come in handy! They all sang with such heartfelt delivery that I was blown away! I'm so proud of them....:) I think I did more hugging than actual evaluation of their presentations. But well, in a way...there was no need for the latter. It's all about bringing the students to heaven and back during that 1 hour of class. And looks like we did it.

My last class of the day was pretty powerful too.....seeing normally indifferent/aloof and detached students enter deeper and deeper into worship as the weeks progressed, lifting up their hands and smiling as they touched heaven. It's just awesome seeing God work in the classroom, melting down walls, breaking down our defences....and the transformation is so visible in their countenance! I got chills over and over again.

This week I've been blessed with loads of pressies too! (Michelle loves receiving pressies!) I got muffins, a huge decorative plaque, cards, hugs and really encouraging feedback and appreciation from the students. I thought the best one was this....there was this class which chased me out of the classroom for 2 mins....(sounds fishy rite? but i played along), and when I returned I saw something glittery on my keyboard. They had poured Hershey's choc kisses all over the keyboard! *MELT* It took some time to sweep off all the little chocs, but it was really such a creative gesture which touched my heart.

Bernice has been so cute too...cheering me up with flowers, balloons, mentos and Tic-Tac!! :)
See...I'm really quite easy to please. haha! In fact, I think if someone just gave me rainbow sprinkles in a plastic container, I'd be over the moon. Haha! I'll bet Steph thinks I'm loony again.

Please Pray...

"The reason why we pray is simply that we cannot help praying"-William James

My grandfather has been hospitalized. Last year he was hospitalized too, for a minor stroke which affected his motor and speech abilities. He's more or less recovered since then...but last week he fell down the stairs. It seemed alright for a while, but recently his knee started to get really painful and swollen. The docs have him under observation now, they're still trying to find out what is wrong.

I'm worried for him...and I'm just really emotionally (and physically) drained out. Not from just this incident alone...but from everything that's happened this year....feels like I'm being pushed to the edge. I really don't think I can bear much more crap. It's a very critical time at work too....new term, training up a new coach, planning new syllabus, newly extended working hours etc. I've never felt so tired in my life.

So yeah, please keep me and my family in prayer. Much appreciated!

The Rhythm of Life

You know that life is getting a tad too hectic and fast-paced in Singapore when you get seriously annoyed that it's going to be an 8min wait for your MRT to arrive (you know from those boards that 'count down' for you). Don't all of us go "Crap! So long ah?" whenever it happens to us?

The thing is...an 8 min wait in another country, like say Australia, would be met with sighs of relief and gratefulness.

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the middle of the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water,
and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

-Wendell Berry, from "Collected Poems"

Keeping Company with God

"For prayer exists, no question about that. It is the peculiarly human
response to the fact of this endless mystery of bliss and brutality,
impersonal might and lyric intimacy that composes our
experience of life"
- Patricia Hampl

The past 2 weeks have been pretty incredible....God has really been moving....and I don't know where to start! :) It's been quite hectic too, hence the silence on blogger. I won't tell you the whole story, cos it's just too much. But let's just say that He's really shown to me very concretely, intensely....and tenderly that He knows my needs, the concerns on my heart. God has been answering my prayers at very timely moments, and in very creative ways. *Much respect and love to the One who is higher than I*. :)

There were moments where I would express to God, how much I miss gigging, the music we made...and almost instantly, Jon decided to pop by BMI to jam!! Then I would casually mention to God how much I miss certain friends whom I haven't seen in ages....and soon enough, smses from them would start streaming in (without any initiation on my part!), or I would bump into them in town!! Of all times right? Not meeting, talking, bumping into each other for months, and out of the blue they come back into my life. :)

God brought students and friends along, with powerful words to remind me of certain dreams I had forgotten. Providence came financially too....something I've been praying for a long time. God generously supplied me much needed affirmation for the work I'm doing at BMI....particularly the syllabus planning for 2 new modules that center around the prayers in the bible. He used Jon to give me a word (Psalm 40:3) that was really the theme verse of the whole vocal program. Both Jon and I were shocked....Jon had no idea I've been using it for the program....and I was amazed that God would use that exact same verse to affirm and encourage me.

A few days later, I stumbled about Philip Yancey's new book 'Prayer: does it make a difference?" at Kino. It was as if the book dropped down from heaven!! I badly needed the angle, perspective on prayer that Philip Yancey was exploring in his book, to complement the research I had already done. Of course, which better writer for me to learn from rite? Yancey is one of my all-time fav writers!! I happily purchased the book on the spot of course. When I went home, I was very tempted to leave it aside and watch my dvds...but I felt this strong urge from God to read it straight away. So I obeyed, and was I richly rewarded.

There in the first chapeter, staring me in the face were the 2 key verses/bible passages I was planning to use in the first week of the new syllabus- Psalm 8 and Gen 2:23. I was stumped. It really encouraged me that I was on the right track with regards to the program planning. That wasn't the end though, through the book....God taught me so many valuable lessons, brought much insight and revelations. I had a powerful God-encounter that night. It was intense, a bit painful....but in the end, it brought release and a deep connection with my Maker. Over and over again, He kept assuring me that He knew my needs, my concerns, my pain, my dreams.

It's such a beautiful mystery how God moves among us, and how He connects us with one another. :)

=================================================================
A series of short thank you notes again:

Jon- Thank you for the music as always. It's been more healing than you know. But more than that, your friendship is really treasured in my heart. I'm still amazed how you felt so prompted by God to write that email at 4am in the morning. It was a much needed affirmation from God that you brought....thanks!

Eunice- for that random sms that you sent me, because you stumbled across some old Christmas card I gave you. :) I miss you too! Thanks for praying alongside with me.

George- for being so encouraging as I'm planing this new module on Prayers of the bible. Your feedback was valuable indeed.

Audrey- for always putting up with my late night calls, and the random outbursts along with them. *Palapapumpum* my friend!!!

Dehui- your words cut straight to the heart (in a gd way!). :) I appreciate you being there....for letting me 'fall apart' in your car.

Andrea and Berno: my gals!!!! :) where would I be without you...it's been so much insane fun lately. Gushing over Mac stuff, John Mayer, Amanda Lee and more. I love how we're getting closer. Enjoying the friendship very much.

Bliss

Bliss is a moment of quiet solitude, on a lazy Friday afternoon, seated in a cosy corner of Olio Dome cafe at the S'pore Art Museum.......accompanied by a fragrant cup of Chai Vanilla Latte, the dazzling, fluid prose of Neil Gaiman ("Stardust") and the musical genius of John Mayer (from my iPod). I swear, I must have been sitting there just smiling to myself.

If I imagined hard enough, it was as if I was not in S'pore...but in some cafe at Queen Victoria Building in Sydney. :)

Vultures-John Mayer

I am hooked on this guy....especially watching his live videos on youtube. Can you believe that every live version of 'Vultures' is different?? That's how solid their musicianship is! This video on amazon is my favourite thus far.....its the slickest and features a short but great keys solo!! I like!! Wish there was more....oh, it's so bluesy and soulful! *swoon* It's just amazing watching these brilliant musicians go at it.

Was telling Andrea....a guy get hotter (in our eyes) when he's got great musicianship. But when he looks like he's really enjoying the music (like John Mayer)...he scores! haha! (Pardon the bimbo gushing....heh!)

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000H0MKGK/ref=s9_asin_image_1/102-8018872-0948912

John Mayer- "Continuum"

"Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good." - "The Heart of Life'


"Down to the wire
I wanted water but I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes to take me even higher
Then I'll come through like I do
When the world keeps testing me, testing me, testing me" -"Vultures"

"When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
You roll out of bed and down on your knees
And for a moment you can hardly breathe
wondering
was she really here?"
-"Dreaming with a broken heart"

John Mayer's new album "Continuum" is absolutely fantastic!!!! (mind you, this is coming from someone who is not a John Mayer fan) It's just really great music! Every track on this album is strong on its own! This is pretty huge, considering how much rubbish is being released these days.

I'm really surprised at how much he's grown and evolved as a song-writer/singer/musician. His new album features such creative instrumentation (old school rock, blues, pop, jazz all fused together seamlessly)....and I just love how bold, soulful and richly textured his new sound is. (smart guy has surrounded himself with excellent musicians) His singing has improved a lot....he sings with remarkable tenderness, sincerity and a well-controlled falsetto! (Amazing, considering how limited his range used to be.) His lyrics are showing greater maturity, insight and wit as well. I LOVE IT!!!! A very strong effort dude! Or as Andrea has described "FIERCE!!" haha! I so agree.

I've uploaded some tracks on multiply, but because I believe that this album is soooo good, I will only upload 3 tracks as a preview. Please buy the album proper. It's definitely worth your money.
http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music
1) Waiting on the world to change (current single that's being played on radio.)
2) Vultures (this is sooo groovy and sexy!!)
3) Dreaming with a broken heart (very tender and wistful. It'll break your heart. The piano playing-quite unusual for a John Mayer track- is very mesmerising and plaintive)

Simple Pleasures

It's been a good day, filled with simple pleasures. :) I'm like on a little bit of a 'high' now. haha!

Met Audrey for dinner...and we tried out this new restaurant at Citylink mall, "New York, New York". It resembles NYDC cafe....but i think the food is better, and more affordable too. Go check it out! It's been attracting long queues. We ordered "mushroom cuppaccino" soup and calamari as appetizers, then we shared a turkey and cranberry sandwich on sun-dried tomato bread. Yummmy! They gave us free apple-flavoured cotton candy for dessert! SWEET!!! (shrewd promotion strategy...but definitely a pleasant surprise that brought child-like smiles all round) Look at the grin on Audrey's face...haha!

After dinner, we headed to the esplanade library for a dvd rampage. Heh! It was such a beautiful, cooling night too....after the rain this afternoon. Just revelled in the evening breeze, gazing up at the poofy white clouds in the night sky...singing silly tunes and reminiscing about wrapping ourselves up in snuggly jackets while strolling through the streets of Australia by night....even doing a spot of grocery shopping at Cole's. haha! Oh Pammy!!! It's strawberry picking season there....ahhh, i wish i could join you!!

I also managed to grab a copy of John Mayer's brilliant new CD!! Was waiting for it all week! More on that in the next post...

All in all....thank You God for good company, good music, good food, and refreshing weather!

"Let's Forget About It"-Lisa Loeb

"The time between meeting and finally leaving is sometimes called falling in love"

"I was quiet, and I was tired. and I wanted you to bring me up
I wanted you to make it stop, yeah I wanted you to bring me up.
So I was wrong and you were right.
Bring me home.. "

Lisa Loeb...she strikes me as this quirky, urban troubadour. It's easy to lose yourself in her songs, cos they're very relatable and cathartic. Her observations on life, love, and relationships are refreshing too, and she's really brilliant with her fluid, storytelling song-writing style.

I've uploaded some lesser known acoustic songs from John Mayer's old album "Room For Squares" too. Can't wait for his new album to come out!

http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

"Not Myself"

Not Myself
=======================
(by John Mayer)

suppose I said
I am on my best behavior
there are times
I lose my worried mind

would you want me when I’m not myself
wait it out while I am someone else

suppose I said
colors change for no good reason
words will go
from poetry to prose

would you want me when I’m not myself
wait it out while I am someone else

and I
in time
will come around
I always do
for you

suppose I said
you’re my saving grace
would you want me when I’m not myself
wait it out while I am someone else
would you want me when I’m not myself
wait it out while I am someone else

WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE

Crap! Is John Mayer getting cuter (must be the hair) and even better at his song-writing?? I'm annoyed....cos this an obviously talented and witty musician who is currently dating dumb blonde bombshell, Jessica Simpson. Respect for the music and smashing video...but the whole Jessica affair, not cool dudeeee!

Btw, I love love love the cute keyboard intro/theme on this track. :) Andrea's supposed to figure out how to play it. hee!

Dimming of the Day

Sigh. There's such a lingering, lyrical quality to traditional Irish music. Songs that speak about dales and primroses, starlight and moonbeams. It transports you to a purer, simpler time. I love The Corrs "Home" album which was cut as a memorial to their mother, Jean, a musician and song collector who died in 1999. Here they return to their roots and family legacy with their re-interpretation of some traditional songs. The most memorable tracks for me were those recorded in Gaelic....which must be one of the ethereal languages on earth!

Listen to some tracks I've uploaded onto my multiply site here:
Http://www.jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

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

Dimming of the Day (Richard Thompson)
==============================

This old house is falling down around my ears
I am drowning in a river of my tears
when all my will is gone you hold me sway
and I need you at the dimming of the day

you pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
you know just where I keep my better side

what days have come to keep us far apart
a broken promise or a broken heart
now all the bonnie birds have wheeled away
and i need you at the dimming of the day

come the night you're only what I want
come the night you could be my confidant

I see you on the street in company
why don't you come and ease your mind with me
I am living for the night we steal away
and I need you at the dimming of the day
yes I need you at the dimming of the day

'Tis a sad day

I was preparing to go to work when I heard the awful news of Steve Irwin, Australia's Croc Hunter, being killed by a stingray. He was only 44, and for me the saddest part is not how the world has lost one of its greatest wildlife icon/environmentalist/conservationist.....but the immense loss for his precious family. Steve Irwin leaves behind his wife, Terri, daughter Bindi Sue 8, and son Bob, 3.

Sigh, my heart goes out to them. His daughter Bindi Sue...is really such a darling, and has caught on her Daddy's passion for crocs. I saw her fearlessly cradling baby crocs on Oprah, and freaking Oprah out of course.

The world will miss you Steve Irwin, and your infectious enthusiasm, larger-than-life personality, and the joy and laughter you've brought.

Join the msn community in a gesture of remembrance for Steve, by adding a turtle icon in front of your msn nick. Just type (tu) for it to appear.

Read more at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060904/ap_on_en_tv/obit_irwin

*Poofed*

Work has been unbelievably drama, intense, and hectic. So I really welcomed the arrival of the weekend! Here's what I did in a nutshell:

1) Met Andrea and Berno for a lovely lunch at Sakae Sushi, Citylink...and then we had ice-cream at Ben & Jerry's later. I had my Oatmeal Cookie flavoured ice-cream with my fav RAINBOW SPRINKLES!!!! Yeah!!! They just cheer up my day.

2) Picked up my friend the Macbook from iShop, Club21. (I'm sooooo glad she's back in my hands. It felt so strange without her ard!) Also managed to traumatize and then make friends with some of the Club21 service staff. I'm so glad I met some of the more helpful and knowledgeable ones this time round. They opened my eyes to a whole world of Mac culture. :) I hate ignorant service staff! C'mon, do justice to a great product/brand!
(btw, avoid Apple@Orchard pls.....their staff are so clueless, and i can hardly understand half of their mangled English.)

3) Had dinner with Agents Ninja and Cheerleader, and the sole Gah-men officer at PS cafe at Dempsey Road. Great, attentive service, beautiful decor and setting....but the prices are kinda steep, and you'll need a car or a taxi to get there. Next gathering at Rochester Park gals??

4) Today, I went for work as usual...classes went on until 2pm. Sheer joy (in the eyes of a teacher) is when your students' eyes light up in glee, and they start to smile and clap their hands excitedly/ victoriously after a session of AWESOME HARMONISING!! It's like seeing adults in a rare child-like moment!

I felt sooo proud of them, so happy for them, and so relieved for myself that I finally nailed a method for absolute beginners to grasp the basics of harmony. Thank God man...cos last wk's 1st lesson on harmony was rather messy. Today, these amateurs, were singing like an experienced choir.....to a super difficult United Live song too, "Came to the rescue". Sorry...allow me to gush....but I was just overjoyed and pleasantly surprised. They are accomplishing in 2 weeks, what many vocalists struggle with for weeks and months. All I did was prompt the first group with their starting note, and the other groups were able to find their own harmonising notes confidently in like 2 secs! AMAZING! All systems go!! After that, worshipping with our songs was just so powerful. :)

5) After classes ended at 2pm, I had a training session until 4pm with the new junior vocal coach. It was xiong ah....but time well-spent....praying together, sharing updates on life, and learning together. I feel quite comfortable with him...he's got a very teachable, pure, humble spirit.

6) After training ended at 4pm, I did grading and other admin work until 6pm (started to go into 'screen saver mode' by then), and met Shirley for dinner and shopping.

7) Now Michelle is just *poofed*.....gonna finish up this blog post and watch LOST Season 1!!

Don't say the "H" word!

This seems to be the No.1 question to ask Michelle of late....

So....how's Hougang? :)

*blink*




It freaking SUXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!

Did u actually think it could POSSIBLY be good??
I go to the bathroom to stifle my screams of frustration on some days.
So don't make me count the ways in which Hougang absolutely blows....