"Falling Slowly"

"Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along"
- 'Falling Slowly' by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

This is my favourite scene from "Once," an Indie Irish movie about how 2 struggling musicians cross paths, and create some amazing music together over the course of one intense week. Although the 2 characters have some very obvious chemistry, and are clearly "falling slowly" for each other, life circumstances don't allow the two to be together. Nonetheless, their short time together leaves a deep and lingering effect upon their lives. That's the feeling this little movie leaves upon you too....its haunting in its poignancy.

Interestingly, the real life ending is a lot happier than the reel ending. :) The 2 actors/musicians, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova actually got togther after the movie. So sweet rite? I love how this scene captures that rare, organic synergy they shared, and as Glen Hansard said of the film, "documents something precious and private." Beautiful stuff. Anyway, this is the scene where they create music together for the first time. :) Enjoy!

Notes from Randomland

1) Abi and I decided to watch some music geek movie, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," this coming Mon. AFTER i booked and paid for the tix online, I remembered at 5.23am in the morning (couldn't sleep cos of the power Teh-Peng from Downtown East fd court), that Abi has make-up classes to teach on Mon!! RAWR!!! So I had to go down to the Cathay box office today to ask if they would let me change the date of the movie. Thank gdness they did!

2) **On msn earlier this week**
Mich: Btw I'm teaching my last class at BMI tmrw.
Glenn: Oh. It's been quite a journey.
Mich: Why are YOU giving MY thank you speech??
Glenn: I'm not!!
Mich: You are so stealing my thunder! This is MY moment! Let's start over....it's been quite a ride. :)

So I taught my last class at BMI on Tues. A lot of people have been asking me how it felt. Truth is...I haven't had time to process my emotions. Although sometimes I feel these waves of emotion sweep over me when I sit down and think about the past 5 years. But..I shall not go there. Not now. I have lots of music and writing to work on.

3) I bought my Yellow Jackets Mosaic Festival tix!! Am looking forward to attending the concert with Cheryl, Dawnie and Ricky! :) Andie & Reggie are sitting in the 1st row! Wah fierce!

4) My aunt and cousins from Sabah are in town and "terrorising me" with a vengeance. haha! But it's always bucketloads of fun hanging out with them. :) Sabrina, the "baby" of the family is already 17, but she's still very chirpy, child-like and into hugs and all that stuff. So it's quite sweet that she hasn't gone into the "I'm too cool for physical affection" stage. Aeron, at 23 years old, is also the same. As cheeky as ever.

Today we went shopping at Raffles City, had a HUGE dinner at Tony Roma's (where 1/2 a chicken looks like a turkey), and then headed home to chill over Krispy Kreme donuts and wine. And in between the food and music talk (they insist that I'm a John Mayer groupie), the latest family gossip/secrets came out. haha! I think we're going to do the touristy thing and go on the Singapore Flyer on Mon. haha! Let's see how that field trip goes.

5) I finished reading Chris Tomlin's book, "The way I was made". :) Now Abi's reading it. This was what he wrote at the start of the book, "dedicated to my mum and dad. I love you." Awwww! And then, we learn that he calls his grandparents, "Mamaw" and "Papaw." *melt* And yes, he actually dates although he's still single at 35, cos in his book he wrote about how he asked this girl out in high school, and when she said yes, he was so happy he called up every guy he knew. hahaha! So cute lah Chris. :)

6) I start my leave next week, and I'm more or less off work until 5th Jan 2009. I still have pockets of work in between, but I'm hoping to get some rest before I begin full-time ministry in 2009. AND READ! I really want to catch up on my reading. :) If you wanna meet up, just buzz me. Better catch me now before the new year starts. haha!

7) **on the bus with muffin**
Mich: *randomly* Do you know that Joel has Scottish roots?? :)
Muffin: !?!? Do I look like I care?
Mich: Do I look like I care whether you care? I just wanted to say it. :)
Muffin: How did you even find out?
Mich: His mummy, Bobbie, told me.
Muffin: What??
Mich: Aiyah, I read her blog lah!

All In The Family

On msn this afternoon:
======================
*Mich and Abi talking about catching a movie at Cathay*
Mich: Hey, do you mind if my cousins come along?
Abi: Yes I do. Don't want lah.
Mich: WHY?? I want you to meet my cousins!!
Abi: Why do I need to? I'm not marrying into your family!
Mich: HAHA! yeah, i just realized that I made you sound like my freaking bf! But to be fair, I've watched movies with your sisters before ok!
Abi: Haha! Yeah, that's true.

Things that make you go "Awww!!"

This was taken from Jeremy Camp's blog.
"We're having some family fun at Sea World. It's the first time the
girls have gone and they love it!!! I was a little terrified of the
Elmo ride but Bella helped me get through it!"- Jeremy Camp.

Haha! Ok, I know its a bit strange for me to be posting pics of somebody else's kids here. But I couldn't resist. So sweet right this father-daughter moment. :) (And what a funky dad he makes too!)

Proof of static electricity. This is Jeremy Camp's younger daughter, Ari...she was playing when this happened and he couldn't resist taking a photo from his iPhone. His 2 daughters are so adorable rite?

In Between Heartbeats

Lying awake on my bed in the dark,
I hold my heart in my hand
And wonder if you'll ever come through for me.

The battle rages on within,
I can't run away from myself.

But in between heartbeats,
and beneath the silence,
Lies a promise...

Will I be brave enough to believe?

Forgive me while I gush...

"Every generation needs a REVOLUTION...
this one NEEDS to look, sound and breathe like LOVE...
the PEOPLE are the FUTURE, and the future is NOW!!"

Joel Houston sharing the heartbeat behind "The I Heart Revolution." I love his reference to Psalm 145:4 "One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts". Its one of my favourite verses, it's one of those "life verses" that I cling to and pray that I can live out. Its a verse that changes your entire perspective, and affects the way you do ministry. We need to be sowing seeds into the next generation so that they can rise up to be even stronger than our own.

Joel Timothy Houston, the most poetic and sincere worship leader/songwriter/preacher etc. in history, singing "Mighty To Save" at the Hillsong Conference 2008. :) This is my favouritest version of "Mighty To Save" EVER. (Sorry Reubs)

Nigel said this to me the other night, and I thought it was super hilarious, "To say that you have a crush on Joel would be a massive understatement."

Happy Me Day 2008!

Birthday celebration @ Brewerkz

It was me birthday last week, and I had a blast with a whole string of bday gatherings throughout the week! :) Thank you guys so much for the overwhelming flood of bday greetings and the wonderful pressies. My wish-list is near complete! Wow! :) *Mich feels the love :)* I'm quite tickled by the sheer number of cds I've received this year. haha!

But above all the gifts, I really treasured the time spent catching up, or just hanging out with different ones of you. :) I had a cozy dinner with Andie and Berno last Weds at that Jap Marche place at Raffles City. We've been celebrating each other's bdays for years. :) Great food, great company and what a beautiful time sharing our dreams with each other. It's an amazing thing to share common passions and to be able to support each other in that journey.

Sat I met up with Lishan, my sec sch fren for tea. She was my best friend since Pri 2 and we've really seen the best and the worst of each other. We've not met up for many months, but its fantastic how we can just pick up from where we left off.

In the evening, Glenn and I went Christmas shopping for our Compassion kids (we are both sponsoring kids in Indonesia & Philippines respectively. Joel would so approve. haha!) before checking out the new Timbre @ Old School. It was random comments and laughs galore as usual with Glenn. Timbre @ Old School got the thumbs up from us for its retro vibe (they were playing 80s music before the band came on! I actually heard Square Rooms! haha!), and its unique ambience (Mich loves twinkle lights). It's literally set in an old school compound. Very quiet and spacious....great place to take photos. :)

Then on Sun, it was a gathering @ Brewerkz with the BMI/ex-BMI gang. haha! I really enjoyed catching up with my dear fwens at one of my fav hang-outs. Most of us are moving on to a different season of life, and I think it was with great joy that we shared with each other our plans and dreams. As the food and beer flowed freely, so did the conversation and laughter. And before we knew it, it was time to go home. Wish I had more time to spend with these guys. :)

Thank God for fwenships! :) Here are some pics taken by Jason from that refreshing evening.

Berno!! My lifeline and one of my bestest fwens.

With Danny my boo fwen whom I've missed dearly.

Abi and Erica wrote me a totally nonsense running commentary of their journey to buy me a birthday card (like 500 words worth) all squeezed in tiny handwriting on the above card. This is randomness in print! Totally ridiculous! And they forced me to read it aloud in front of everyone. Man...that took so long. And I knew it was gonna be totally pointless right from the start.

Abi laughing at my expense. But its ok, cos she gave me a fabulous looking scarf as a pressie. haha!

Erica amusing us with her super entertaining stories.

Danny got all dressed up for the occasion...and was a bit sad that I chose al fresco seats. haha! Oops!

Abi made the worst mistake a photographer could make. She accidentally deleted our good group photos. *slaps forehead*

The gang. Top row (L-R): Abi, Berno, Henry Choo.
Bottom row (L-R): Danny, Jason, me, Erica, Muffin

"In the Bleak Midwinter"

This video, released by Corrinne May last Christmas, is like a cup of hot choc to the soul. Well, at least that's what I think. I particularly love the last stanza of the song. :)

I also want to sing songs in the cozy setting of a cafe. :)

[Ok this is so cool....less than 2 hrs after I wrote the above comment, my fren, who is a chef with her own business, just told me, "hey if i set up my own cafe, you come and sing lah!" And she had no idea that I just blogged about the very same thing. :) Ooohh!]

"What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart."
- 'In the Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti, 1872.

Love in the shadows

Lately, it's been a struggle to worship, and to find joy. And I feel really really tired.
I desperately want to escape, but I know I cannot shirk my responsibilities.
Even the music seems empty these days.
My soul craves for inspiration and release.
My heart badly needs restoration.

Christmas is fast approaching....I can't believe how time flies.
I was playing around with my keyboard, feeling quite miserable...and really not knowing what to sing or play.
And somehow God led me to this song from Corrinne May's Christmas album, "The Answer".
I started singing and playing it, albeit a little reluctantly initially,
but soon enough, I felt a glimmer of hope arise.
"Love in the shadows" as Joel would say.

[Thanks Dawnie for being my fiercely protective and supportive fwen. Yes, you understand when many others don't. I heart u. :)]

The Answer (by Corrinne May)
==================================
I believe you are the answer to every tear I've cried
I believe that You are with me
My rising and my light

Give me strength when I am weary
Give me hope when I can't see
Through the crosses I must carry
Lord, bind my heart to thee

That when all my days are over
and all my chores are done
I may see Your risen Glory
Forever where you are

Choc Banana Cake & Gula Melaka

My brains are totally fried by this late hour...but I have this unexplainable need to share my day with you all. haha!

Last nite, Abi asked me if I wanted to meet for lunch. So I asked her, "You want to meet me for lunch cos I'm leaving BMI soon rite?" She said, "Aiyah, I'm meeting you for lunch cos I'm meeting you for lunch lah!" haha! Abi doesn't do the mushy sentimental stuff.

So we met for lunch at Secret Recipe, Plaza Sing. And Abi was appalled at how I scared the waitress by suddenly bursting out in laughter when she repeated our orders. I didn't mean to, I was reading an sms from Glenn. Abi said the waitress thought I was laughing at her. hahaha! Oops. But lunch was nice...we had Tom Yum Chicken Noodles and Choc Banana Cake (my fav!). :)

Then Abi and I went shopping at Springfield, and we both bought the same dress which was on sale. We rushed back to office after that. I love how ridiculously random our conversations are. We can be talking about one topic, and then suddenly, I'll just burst out, "Obama and Clinton," which is totally unrelated, but she gets it. It takes skill to get to our level. haha!

And I must tell you guys the tak glam thing that Abi did during dinner. Esther was peacefully eating her Ondeh ondeh when Abi walked past and decided to try one. She's never eaten it before. So she bit into half of it, and gula melaka started squirting everywhere. Esther kena gula melaka on her face and jacket and pants. Warrau...Abi is a winner.

My student who works at The Body Shop gave me a whole bag of free make-up today as a thank you gift. Christmas is here early for Michelle! Yayy! So happy! I got 2 diff types of blushers, 2 shades of eye-shadow, mascara, lipstick and lip gloss. :)

I also have so much new music (from the Integrity sale, and my fabulous bday gifts) that I dunno what to listen to now. :)

I watched my "Once" dvd last nite, yet another bday gift,....I loved the movie very much. :) The part where they were creating music together with such easy chemistry gave me the chills.

Ok i very sleepy liao. Goodnite!