My Crazy Cousins!! :)

Introducing my lovely, wacky cousins- Sabrina and Aeron! They may be living in Sabah, but receiving these pics of them on my handphone can still bring much cheer and laughter.

Sabby has this feature on her Song Ericsson hp which allows her to super-impose like this.
How cute is she as lil bunny?

Aeron, looking smashing as an astronaut!

Here they are, the usual suspects celebrating Sabby's birthday!

Love Actually

Why should we still love when those that we love constantly disappoint us? That was a question Bernice and I were discussing when we met for lunch yesterday. It's a very real question too....for myself, for friends around me who've been hurt/ are hurting right now.

Well....2 thoughts on this topic.

Firstly, I think we should still love because it's never a waste to love someone.
(Of course, it doesn't mean that we don't guard our hearts....we should still love wisely when it comes to BGR. )
It would be a greater tragedy to NOT love because we're paralysed by fear. Love is always a risk...but if we don't love, we will never really live. It's like that W.H Auden quote, "We must love one another or die."

Secondly, it's also our definition of love. If we view love as a transaction, always expecting a return, then it's much easier to get disappointed. But if we loved without agenda, that might just set us free.

Steph's last visit

These are post-dated pics from crazy Steph's last visit in Dec 2006....cos I only got them from Audrey yesterday lor! She's actually due back again on the 28th Feb! :) Winnie and Sue Ern: enjoy the pics. heh!

we were hanging out at Corduroy Cafe at Vivo...a very chi-chi place. But i like! Steph terrorized the staff there too. haha! Look at the crazy grin on her face. heh!

Like what the crap rite? haha! See what I have to deal with?
Look at her brimming with absolute glee and self-satisfaction.

Eh?? I'm really not sure what effect she was trying to go for

Group shot

Just with Audrey now...

We sent Steph off at the airport on New Yr's eve (31st Dec)! Here she is...stealing fries from a little kid

preparing to pose....

Cheeky smiles all round
(sponsored by BK)

Shot with Winnie who brought baby Tania down

off to the departure gate

hugs

And it's finally time to head in....

Random Peektures

Okie....these are some old pictures from 2006. So 'walk with me'. :)

Audrey was like super late in meeting me again lah! I had to sit down at Coffee Bean to read my 'Little Women' novel for ages. When she showed up, I gave her a surprise gift of 'Kaka'!!! Remember this snack we used to eat as wee little kids??? I found it recently at this newspaper kiosk at Kovan MRT. Unbelievable!



This is how it looks like inside. It doesn't taste as good as I remembered it. haha! But ah well, its nostalgic. If anyone finds 'Xiao Ding Dang' chocs let me know!

Me and Michelle Poh's gorgeous baby, Krabi. The adorable guy is a killer mix of chinese-dutch blood. I've never gone so crazy over a baby before. haha!

Timmy!

Was hanging out at Timbre last Fri...and the "Timmy" band (featuring Ngak) was playing as usual. I haven't been there in ages, so hearing the usual + new songs was really enjoyable. I know they tend to repeat their songs, but people of my generation keep going back because we recognize and love the tunes man! It's like that 'Friends' hang-out place, 'Central Perk'! :)

Anyway, I felt inspired to compile a playlist of songs that the "Timmy" band would normally play at Timbre.....songs that are just plain 'feel good' and will make you wanna sing along; songs that will make you head-bang and groove along; songs that will make you nostalgic/melt/cry. :) They're all uploaded on my multiply website: http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music
On Friday nite, they did a medley of Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter" with Radiohead's "Creep" (just the chorus)....and I thought that was absolutely brilliant! It fits so well! Why didn't anyone think of it before? :)

This is the full play-list:
===================
1) Have a nice day- Stereophonics
2) Friday I'm in love- The Cure
3) High and Dry- Radiohead
4) Chasing cars- Snow Patrol
5) You and me- Lifehouse
6) Yellow- Coldplay
7) Let there be love-Oasis
8) Mr Brightside- The Killers
9) Time is running out- Muse
10) Vertigo- U2 ("Hello, hello!! HOLAAAAA!!")
11) Elevation- U2
12) Stay- U2
13) You and I both- Jason Mraz
14) The Remedy (I won't worry)- Jason Mraz
15) My name is Luka- Suzanne Vega
16) Runaway Train- Soul Asylum
17) The Blower's Daughter- Damien Rice
18) Creep- Radiohead (this song is becoming such a classic rock anthem isn't it?)
19) Me, my Yoke- Damien Rice (from his latest album...a super intense song. the band really enjoyed plunging into this one)

I also stumbled upon the Timmy band's website at http://www.myspace.com/fmtimmy
Check out the ridiculously funny "Please Buy Me!" video and listen to the demo (which has an additional commentary by the band)! I was laughing so hard at the choreographed dance moves, Ngak's deadpan face, and Alan's (who wrote the song and sings lead) tongue-in-cheek references to the music industry! (The demo got harmony somemore leh! Wah biang! haha!) In case you're wondering, they are directing the song to Eric Ng (their electric guitarist and well-known local song-writer/producer)....while he's filming it as well.

You can also listen to 2 of Ngak's original songs on the website. I was quite impressed actually......not lyrically, but musically...it's quite solid. He's got quite a good ear for radio-friendly pop-rock tunes. I heard him play those 2 songs live at his esplanade concert...and his delivery for his original songs was so much more sincere and nuanced! Of course, it's all wasted on a typical S'porean audience....cos they only cheer for the covers that they recognise. *SIGH*

I'm gonna hang out at Timbre again this Fri...cos for once, I don't have to work on Sat, so I can stay out late without worries! Yayyyyy!!! :) Buzz me if you're going to head down too ok? The more the merrier! CHEERS!!

===================================================================
For those who have NEVER seen Timmy in action at Timbre...here's a video preview...courtesy of youtube. Of course, it's way better live. :)

A pretty decent cover of Muse's "Time is running out". It's quite tough to perform this song acoustically man....check out how they shred wood here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSsxoBqIdGM&mode=related&search=

Here's the full-band, electric version of the Muse song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ullgNGllCTY&mode=related&search=

Probably the best video so far. An acoustic set of "Chasing cars", "Sunday Morning" and "Heaven"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blpItXD3oCQ&mode=related&search=

A cover of "1979"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMtCdndG5Ng

Bye Bye Penguin!

Pammy my penguin is returning to Sydney for her 2nd yr of studies. This pic was taken during her farewell supper on Thurs. I'll miss having her around....see you in July my loveeeee!

Much Ado About Nothing

"Ever noticed that no matter what happens in one day, it exactly fits in the newspaper?"
- Jerry Seinfeld

"Everytime I breathe"

"Everytime I breathe"
(by Big Daddy Weave)
==================

Chorus:
Everytime I breathe You seem a little bit closer
I never wanna leave, I wanna stay in Your warm embrace
Oh basking here, the glory shining from Your face and
Everytime I get another glimpse of Your heart
I feel alive it's true,
That You are so marvelous God
And I am so in love with You

Communiqué

Pardon the collection of random statements....but I wrote this rather quickly (hence "communiqué" ), and I'm quite tired at 3am...so poetry is not much of a concern for me now.

It's been another dramatic start to the new year for me...
As some of you know, my maternal grandfather got a stroke about 3 weeks back.
Thank you for your kind prayers, he is recovering now....and thank God for the open door in the midst of the trying situation. For the first time, my grandfather is open to prayer, to God. Please continue to pray for his salvation!

Well, a week after that happened, my paternal granduncle passed away. We saw that one coming as he has been sick for a long time, but all the same, it was still difficult and tiring for my family....especially my grandma.

On a happier note, I'm collecting the house-keys to my family's new Seng Kang flat this Thurs!! YES!!!!! I'll soon return to having my own room!!!!! :) I think we'll shift in by end March or early April. I actually haven't seen my room yet....but I reckon I will soon. I wanna see if there is enough space for proper bookshelves and CD racks.

Pammy my love is returning to Sydney for her studies....I shall miss my little penguin. I won't be drinking beer@Brewerkz that often without her around. haha!
Steph is coming back from Japan though...yes crazy gal, we're looking forward to seeing you again!!

Work is picking up momentum....and the stress level is going up again. As much as I totally ADORE my students....it is slightly harder to fully enjoy my work when I have added responsibilities now. I'm pushing myself to finish my work in time to meet deadlines.....and yeah, time just seems to fly by so quickly. I can't believe that we're approaching the end of Feb already.

I really wanna pick up Salsa classes soon....perhaps in April once I'm settled in my new house?

"Me" by Paula Cole

Paula Cole wrote this song to "examine the relationship with oneself". And it's really such an interesting, truthful song....that fleshes out the internal conflict that often goes on within.

Listen to it at http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music/item/355

===========================================================
I am not the person who is singing
I am the silent one inside
I am not the one who laughs at people's jokes I just pacify their egos
I am not my house, my car, my songs
They are only just stops along my way
I am like the winter
I'm a dark cold female
With a golden ring of wisdom in my cave

Chorus:

And it is me who is my enemy
Me who beats me up
Me who makes the monsters
Me who strips my confidence

I am carrying my voice
I am carrying my heart
I am carrying my rhythmn
I am carrying my prayers
But you can't kill my spirit
It's soaring and it's strong
Like a mountain
I'll go on and on
But when my wings are folded
The brightly colored moth
Blends into the dirt into the ground

Chorus

And it's me who's too weak
And it's me who's too shy
To ask for the thing I love
And it's me who's too weak
And it's me who's too shy
To ask for the thing I love
That I love

I am walking on the bridge
I am over the water
And I'm scared as hell
But I know there's something better
Yes I know there's something better
Yes I know, yes I know, yes I know

That I love
But it's me
And it's me
But it's me

---

Keeping Company with God

“Prayer means keeping company with God,
who is already present”
- Philip Yancey

Lord, remind me that You are always with me, but it is I who need to awaken to Your presence in my life....

The Music Tells Many Stories....

Marty Casey

"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl..."
- 'Wish you were here' by Pink Floyd

I've expanded the Rockstar INXS playlist on my multiply site: http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

New additions include:
===================
1) Losing my religion- Suzie McNeil (I was pleasantly surprised by this adventurous new re-arrangement of this R.E.M classic.)

2) Baby one more time- Marty Casey (Marty Casey is pure genius! He's given Britney's fluffy candy song a dark, intense, rock twist. I LURVEEEEE IT!! Very sexy and disturbing. haha!)

3) Wish you were here- Marty Casey (Marty was so emotionally charged as he sang it that he was trembling and fighting back tears by the end of this Pink Floyd number. I know cos I bought the Rockstar INXS dvd. heh! Yah lah....it's my new seasonal obsession.)

I dunno if it's just me, but there's a lot of pain in these rock songs.....there are so many lost souls out there. *sigh* It just goes to show that the music tells many stories.....who says there's nothing to learn from secular music?

Reliving Rockstar INXS

Ahhh....back in the days when I still had cable, this was one show that I followed religiously (and infected my fellow music aficionados to follow as well). I remember being blown away by Jordis Unga's raw yet moving interpretations of "Imagine" and "The Man who sold the world"....head-banging to Marty Casey's infectious original rock anthem "Trees"...and tearing at MiG Ayesa's tribute to his wife with "Baby I love your way".

This show was WAY BETTER than the overly commercialized Am Idol (Rockstar Supernova was a 1st class disappointment though. Too many posers/wannabes for my liking) . For Rockstar INXS, the finalists were actually well-established singer-songwriters/musicians in their own right, even before they made it on the show.

(from left to right): The 3 finalists -MiG Ayesa, Marty Casey, J.D Fortune

I'm still pretty miffed that MiG and Marty lost out to J.D Fortune in the finals...but ah well....I do concede that he is the best fit for INXS. Anyway, I was really thrilled when I stumbled upon some mp3s from the show!!! I can now relive some of the show's best moments to my heart's content. I've uploaded them up on to my multiply site as well...for y'all to enjoy. (Guess you can tell who my favourites are from the playlist!)
Http://jazzymoo.multiply.com/music

Playlist:
======
1) The man who sold the world- Jordis Unga
2) Imagine- Jordis Unga
3) Trees- Marty Casey
4) Mr Brightside- Marty Casey
5) Creep- Marty Casey
6) Baby I love your way- MiG Ayesa with Jordis and Marty
7) Hard to handle- MiG Ayesa
8) Layla- Jordis Unga
9) Walk this way- MiG Ayesa

Jordis Unga

Marty Casey

MiG Ayesa

We DA BOMB!!!!!!

We are da champions of the Asean Cup!!!!!!!!!!! Our dear boys ecstastic over a hard-earned 3-2 aggregate win! Makes you wanna burst with patriotic pride! :)

Sweet, sweet victory!! Yay!!

Cpt Aide Iskandar collecting the trophy

Yes, we kicked the asses of the M'sians and the fierce Thais all for THIS crowning moment people!

Defending champions once again!!!!! Our name's gonna get engraved on it for the 3rd time.

Lionel Lewis is DA MAN!!!! I totally agree with May...he should have been Man Of the Match. As determined as the Thais were, they couldn't get their fast and furious goals past our man! Brilliant saves. Loved, loved, loved his attitude.....did you see his face? It just screamed "Don't think you're getting past MY NET!!" Fierce ah!

Nor Alam Shah who was awarded both the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player trophy. This guy was on fire during the match!

An MSN conversation after the BIG MATCH:
===============================================

*Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:22:34 PM)
we DA BOMB
May says: (11:22:43 PM)
DABOMBBBBBBBBBBBB
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:22:53 PM)
SHOUT IT OUT!!!
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:22:55 PM)
wot kind of bomb?
May says: (11:23:03 PM)
SHRAPNEL
May says: (11:23:03 PM)
NUCLEAR
May says: (11:23:09 PM)
CHEMICAL
May says: (11:23:09 PM)
ATOMIC
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:23:56 PM)
ATOMIC lah. the fastest rite?
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:23:59 PM)
cos of our subbie
May says: (11:24:14 PM)
WE ARE ALL KINDS OF BOMBBB
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:24:19 PM)
Hahhaa
May says: (11:24:20 PM)
i am wearing national colours tmrw
May says: (11:24:21 PM)
*feels patriotic*
May says: (11:24:47 PM)
ALL KINDS OF BOMB MAN
May says: (11:24:47 PM)
LAST MINUTE BOMB
May says: (11:25:00 PM)
always got problem after 80 mins
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:25:05 PM)
LAST MIN BOMB. yehhhhhhh!!! when u think the Thais gonna step all over us, we BOMB THEM!
May says: (11:25:06 PM)
penalty at 82nd min
*Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:25:48 PM)
AMRI BOMB!
May says: (11:26:04 PM)
AMRI BOMB!!!
May says: (11:26:06 PM)
hahaha!!!
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:26:14 PM)
(subbie class bomb)
May says: (11:26:15 PM)
LAST MIN BOMB
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:26:18 PM)
hahahaaaa
May says: (11:26:22 PM)
SUB-CLASS BOMB
May says: (11:26:24 PM)
wooooot!
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:26:32 PM)
i shall wear red tmrw too!
**Eowyn** (We are the champions my friend!!!!!) says: (11:26:34 PM)
yayyyyyy!

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

WE WON THE ASEAN CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE THE CHAMPIONSSSSSSS!!!!!!! (Yes, even Mich goes absolutely mad sometimes) Nothing is gonna dampen our spirits tonite....not even all you cynical critics!! Yes, the fiery Thais trampled all over us for most of the match, sure we sucked at our passing, and ball possession......BUT WE WERE THE ONES WHO SCORED THE GOALS!!! Subbie Khairul Amri is our darling national hero, our powderful "last min BOMB" who scored the goal at the 82nd min. haha!

For a more "pro" commentary on the match, please visit May's blog at http://hyperreality.blogspot.com

It really seemed like the Thais were gonna trash us till then, but I knew our boys could fight back!!! AND THEY DID!! I'm just sooooo happy, and absolutely bursting with national pride right now. :)

It's rather funny....the effects that football can have on people. :) Besides bonding us together (May and i are just telling each other how much we love each other now. HA!), it also seems like it causes one to lose a huge part of their sense of logic. Check out this post from the rival camp. Read it on a forum by a Thai fan. Super hilarious!

"Nation lover 04/02/2007 11:25

Thaksin is the cause of all the problems in the world, e.g. tsunami, bird flu, terrorism, poverty, you name it. (oh...and even the cold spell in BKK during these few days is also caused by him)"