Beautiful

This is such an honest song by Bethany Dillon, who's only 19 years old by the way.
Made me ponder upon Love, and how Love accepts us, flaws and all,
And beyond just mere acceptance,
Love pursues us with a relentless persistence,
and sees us....
as beautiful.

It's almost absurd if you think about it,
especially when confronted with our selfishness and shortcomings.
But Love sees us as beautiful....
and worthy to be loved.
Love doesn't just see us as who we are today,
But Love sees who we can grow to be in Christ.

==================================================================
Beautiful (by Bethany Dillon)
==============================
Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me
Fighting to make the mirror happy
Trying to find whatever is missing
Won't you help me back to glory

[Chorus]

You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful

CompassionArt

After an Afternoon....

Andie, Cheryl & I went down to the Integrity/Alby Warehouse Sale today (it will last until Sun). I was very happy in that place. :) It was like heaven. We barely got past the entrance and we were already squeaking in excitement and sending a flurry of smses/calls cos of the good buys. I think Andie said "Ok, let's spread out!" but Cheryl and I simultaneously replied, "but I want to see everything!" haha! When we finally calmed down....we came up with the strategy of doing a preliminary sweep before making our selections.

Wanna know the damage? haha! Well, I shall only list my own although all 3 of us had a full basket each. hee!
- 15 cds (including the new Jon Foreman and Hillsong London albums)
- 2 books
- **free** 5 new Integrity Calendar Posters (with pics of Israel/Tim/Chris and friends.)
(we also pulled off 2 Third Day "Revelation" posters from their wall...but we asked nicely first. haha!)

Andie thinks I'm a bad influence cos when she takes a moment to consider buying a cd, I will stand behind her and chirp, "buy it!" :) haha!

Our arms were seriously aching, our mouths were thirsty and tummies hungry after that afternoon adventure....but it was worth it. :)

Rediscovering Sarah

It all started with me listening to Sarah McLachlan's Christmas album, "Wintersong"...cos I was in the festive mood (and she's got one of the best Christmas albums around). And Muffin was telling me how much he's getting into Sarah's music....and today I saw her newly released album, "Closer-the best of Sarah McLachlan." I nearly bought it...but it was quite pricey at That CD Shop, and I have half of the songs in that album so I stopped myself.

But I was listening to the 2 new tracks in this album on her website ...and I just started falling in love with her voice and her music all over again. If you're talking about the best female vocalists out there, I would have to say, Sarah is queen. Yeah...way before Brooke Fraser even came into the scene. :) This all feels quite nostaglic....I had a little Sarah McLachlan obsession when I was in JC and NUS (quite like Felicity)! haha! I would play her cds until they got all scratched, and I had to buy 2nd copies.

So I think I'm gonna buy her album when I get a chance to. I was quite moved by her two new songs, "U Want Me 2" and "Don't Give Up On Us". They are based on the recent breakdown of her marriage to her drummer, Ashwin Sood, with whom she has two daughters. I guess I was impressed because her lyrics and voice reveal so much honesty and vulnerability about that difficult journey.

Sometimes I still get shocked by how starkly honest some of my fav artistes are in their music...but I'm learning that it's a journey I have to take in my writing/music too. To bare one's heart to the world is not an easy thing. In fact, during a conversation about songwriting, I once told Dawnie that some songs are better left unwritten....because the pain is just so raw. But something a dear brother once said encourages me, "your life experiences are meant to be shared..."

My heart trembled when I heard him say that. Perhaps because I knew he was right, and that I cannot run away for long. After all, the songs that are most powerful and memorable, are those that are true. That word intrigues me. It reverberates through one's soul.

[Listen to the songs on her "Closer" album here]

[Muffin: I hope you are happy with my new posts. haha! Muffin checks my blog daily, he says its like his "Daily Bread". Oh man.]

"Once"

I can't wait to watch this little gem of a movie...it's indie, it's Irish, it's about musos and the elusiveness of love (wait for the last line at the end of the trailer). Hmm...rather like August Rush.:)

Why I Love Our Band....

During band rehearsal just now...
===============================
Ivan: *writing on his score...then looks up and asks earnestly..* "How do you spell rhythm?"
Mich: *jaw drops*
[Ivan is not just our electric guitarist...he is also a bassist mind you. And we all know what that entails!]
Cheryl, Eliz, Andie: *start laughing in disbelief*
Reg: r-h-y-t-h-m.
Andie: No!! It's r-e-e-t-h-e-m! haha! Reeeeetheeem!
Ricky: Arun would spell it as r-r-i-d-d-u-m!!
(Arun wasn't even present at the rehearsal, and he kena whacked by us again. haha!)

Jeremy Camp - There Will Be A Day

Tweee

Check out this photo taken by Daley Hake. This little boy is just so precious. I want to be his fwen. :) Such amazingly round eyes, such a winsome smile. :)

Fa La La La

I'm in the office, feeling insanely bored although I actually have work to do.
(the ridiculously slow PC isn't helping either.)
I just feel like zipping off to town to do some Christmas shopping.
Fa La La....
I blame it on all these retail merchants who have put up all their Christmas decor already.
The festive mood is in the air although it's not even a month before Christmas.
Fa La La....

I like these cool, breezy nights we've been having lately.
When I close my eyes, I feel like I'm walking on the streets of Sydney again...
I just need my sweater and cup of hot choc with sprinklings of choc & cinnamon powder. :)
I'm looking forward to a quiet, acousticky (Arun thinks that's a funny word), folksy Christmas eve with Dawnie.
We plan to catch Alarice in concert at Timbre @ Old School. :)

[A note to hard-core bloggers: People will think you're doing serious work when you blog on Microsoft Word, and look at your comp screen with furrowed brows. Just cut & paste your writings on to blogger later...who's to know you were wasting time in the office? :)]

Sydney/ Melbourne Roadtrip 2008

With May at the Kiama Blowhole

I finally got our Sydney/Melbourne roadtrip (in Feb) photos from May last week. It's been quite fun looking through them again. And yes, makes me wanna go back again. Australia is like my 2nd home. haha! Come on, let me take you by hand to relive the memories. :)

[Photo Credit: Lim May-Ann]

Excited and all set to board the plane. L-R (clockwise): Me, Shan, May and Rie.

Our first stop after arriving in Sydney? Pancakes on the Rocks for an early breakfast. :)

The library book that was our lifeline...it helped us to navigate our way from Sydney to Melbourne without a proper map.

Mmmm....coffee, much needed for the jet-lagged traveller.

Queen Victoria Building, in downtown Sydney

Our faithful car.....Wagaweewee. Yes, we named him. haha!

Rie terrorising birds along the coastal route that we took on our roadtrip.

Batesman Bay, which was quite magical in the evening.

Chinatown, Melbourne...where we had one of our best meals on the trip.

Pic says it all. ha!

A little creek near the Jenolan Caves, Blue Mts, Sydney

This is our view from Govett's Leap...a pretty famous look-out. haha! It was soooo cold and foggy lah! But trust me, behind all that fog, is a view of some spectacular mountain valleys and waterfalls.

And what do the gals do in the face of such unfortunate weather? We tried to blow the fog away !!

Yeah, don't ask why.

The cold got to our heads...so we started climbing things as well.

Everyone up!

And Mich has problems getting down now. ha!

Back in Sydney. This shot was taken near The Rocks....the "lady" behind was made entirely out of peaches. heh!

I Heart Sydney. :)

Departures

Lately....it's been feeling so right that I'm ending a major chapter in my life.
I'm grateful for how much I've learnt during that season, and the incredible friends I've made.
But it really seems time to move on.
Deep inside, I even feel a sense of relief that I decided to step out.
Right now, I can't imagine staying on because its the "safe" decision to make.

Honestly, I never thought I would arrive at this point.
God surprises us at each turn eh?
But I must say, I'm getting more comfortable with the decision I've made,
I'm enjoying the vibrancy of full-time ministry in this wonderful church
(the team that we have here amazes me all the time).
In just the past few months, I've been stretched, challenged, inspired and rejuvenated
both as an artist and as a worshipper in the house of God.
And I'm looking forward to more exciting days ahead. :)

With every step out of the boat, and on the water,
I know I'm walking closer towards Jesus.

"Washed By The Water"- Needtobreathe

Abi and I were commenting on how dreary the weather outside was today....and it all seemed a bit glum until I discovered this song on my new WOW Hits 2009 cd, "Washed By The Water" by Needtobreathe. And soon we were grooving along and smiling just a bit more. [They're a breath of fresh air in CCM today, and I like how their sound reveals bluegrass roots. The soulful organ sounds are a winner. And yes, they use a NORD!!] It just seemed like the perfect soundtrack for our day. :)

We've never heard of Needtobreathe so I had to work quite hard in persuading Abi to give this song a chance...but she loved it in the end and even put it on loop. haha! If you like John Mayer, and "The Bucket List"...you'll probably love this song too. :) Musically, it just seems to have the same vibe as John Mayer's "Say." Oh...and just a bit of trivia, in one of their live renditions of this song, they did a medley with The Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want". Coolness!

"Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water

Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet
Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won't never ever let you down
I won't fall
I won't fall
I won't fall as long as you're around me."- Needtobreathe

The 2008 Birthday Wish List

Hi fwens....it's nearing that time of the year again, and its really sweet how some of you are already asking me what I would like for my birthday. I know I've taken quite long to get back to you, but here's the list finally! :) With something that suits every budget. Once again, do let me know which item you would like to get so I don't get multiple items. haha! Would be quite funny to get 8 scarves. And of course, feel free to surprise me with something outside of this list. I'm just putting it up so some of you don't have to wreck your brains. :)

But hey...above all these gifts, I really appreciate your love & fwenship. Its cheesy but true ok? Am looking forward to meeting up with you guys soon. :)

The 2008 Birthday Wish List:
==========================
1) A nice scarf (Topshop and Zara have nice scarves this season.)
2) "Once" DVD (It's an indie Irish movie)
3) "Through Painted Deserts- Light, God and Beauty on the Open Road"- Donald Miller
4) Tangs Voucher
5) Bobbi Brown Waterproof Mascara (in brown)
6) Eye shadow (in darker shades of grey or brown)

And here's the music wishlist, in order of preference! Go crazy at Trumpetpraise. haha!
=====================================================================
7) Bethany Dillon "So Far: The Acoustic Sessions" (2008)
8) Jeremy Riddle- "Full Attention" (2007)
9) Jeremy Camp's "Restored" Album (2004) or "Carried Me: The Worship Project" (2004)
[I know he has a new album coming out soon, but I'll get that myself cos I'm quite sure I'm gonna be faster than u. hehe!]

Possible Presents for group sharing:
===================================
10) Cordless phone (to be used at home.)
11) Nice watch. :) (my current one is Fossil and its quite old. I would like a dress watch though.)
12) Benetint Blusher
13) Recording Mike for my iPod
14) Groovy Lava Lamp (I dunno where you gonna find it though. ha!)

And those that a girl can only dream of:
====================================
1) Joel Houston (Berno said this one quite hard, and his father won't be very pleased. haha!)
2) Nord Stage (its the only keyboard u'll ever need)
3) New Macbook Pro (need I say more?)
4) Ticket to Sydney

And if you're seriously broke:
=========================
1) Nutella (always a winner!)
2) A month's supply of mentos (8 packs should be more than enough! haha!)

GLS 2008

I know I've posted photos of our GLS rehearsals...but these are the actual day photos. And they're really well done I must say. Brings back great memories too. :)
[Photo credit: Bill Leung]

Here's the set list in case you're interested, which I blatantly cut and pasted from Cheryl's blog. haha! :p

Day 1 [Listen to the recordings here]

Morning
New Doxology (Gateway Worship)
You are Good (Israel Houghton)
Glorious One (Fee)
Item: The Power of Your Name (Lincoln Brewster)

Afternoon
Adonai (Hillsong)
Hosanna (Starfield’s arrangement)
Item/Closing: Say So (Free Chapel Live arrangement)

Day 2 [Listen to the recordings here]

Morning
Everlasting God (Anthony Evan’s arrangement)
Agnus Dei (Third Day)
[Video] My King
How Great is Our God (Anthony Evan’s arrangement)
Item: Empty Me (Jeremy Camp)

Afternoon
For All You’ve Done (Wayne Huirua’s arrangement)
Saviour King (Hillsong)
Item: For the Sake of the Call (Steven Curtis Chapman)
Closing: To Live is Christ

Cheryl and Seng singing the special item song- "The Power of Your Name" by Lincoln Brewster

Andie, our music director, on the red hot Nord Stage! :) What a lovely pic. It was really funny to observe the huge frenzy it created upon its arrival. Everyone kept stroking the Nord lovingly, or going "ooohh" in admiration. haha!

Reggie, our killer bassist...looking like he's in fierce concentration.

Arun

Seng

Sam, our High School Musical fanatic. haha!

Jeremy rockin' it hard on drums

Ivan on electric guit, and Andie in another great shot with the Nord.

Sarah, the GLS producer, with Patricia the stage manager. Their team of staff and volunteers worked so hard behind the scenes. *respect*

Looks like its a band item ("bumper") shot. Everyone looks so high, esp Ivan. haha! The band did an incredible job with the funky band items. :)

Arun proclaiming the Word of God to a very passionate and responsive crowd of delegates

A sacred moment

My fav shot. Arun and I singing Jeremy Camp's "Empty Me" in an acoustic set-up. We even had candles like in the Jeremy Camp dvd. I think I enjoyed this song the most. There's something really magical and intimate about the acoustic setting. :)

Reg and Ivan lifting up their hands in worship. Somehow, when the band members lift up their hands, it never fails to make me go "wow." :) Its a beautiful pic.

The finale

Group shot of the entire GLS crew.

International Shemagh Day

It was "International Shemagh Day" on Tues (cos I declared it to be). And so Abi, Glenn & I wore our shemaghs to work with pride. It a traditional head covering for Arab men...but its now a fashion accessory as well, popularised by the Hillsong United worship team.

We were supposed to take photos of ourselves wearing the shemaghs (the person who doesn't gets kicked with a ball by Marty Sampson. Abi get it?)....but only Glenn managed to. haha! Abi n I were too bz. But here's his pic...wearing a shemagh from Topshop KL that I got for him! I'm so proud of him. haha! (the scary hands at the side are from some billboard)

Mmm...Nutella!!

Nutella...my guilty pleasure and one of the best things in the world. :) Its hard not to feel like life is good after a bit of nutella in your mouth. heh!

Nutella Cupcakes!! Am waiting in anticipation for Andie's next batch. :) Yums!