Forgetting the past. Looking towards the future. The good things in store.

Not be trapped in the past. Moving on forward.

Treausre. Cherish. But let go. Good things are not entitlements.

Eternity

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sun rise

William Blake

My piano teacher

Out of spring cleaning... I came across my Grade 8 piano piece... Debussy's "Reverie"... on it are scribbled notes.

I hope to see my piano teacher once again. To truly thank her.

Ha...naturally piano lessons were blah... coz a lot of it was rote and maybe I was just plain lazy. But looking back... WOW. My piano teacher was EXTRA-ORDINAIRE!

She was really radical and I thank my mom for listening to her. She forbade me to do exams when she felt I was not ready. Twice I think.

She taught me how NOT to just pass exams and play the same 3 pieces the whole year. She taught me how to appreciate music for its worth. She'll teach me history - Baroque. Classical. Romantic. She'll show me the different parts of the orchestra - beckoning me to listen to them individually. She'll bring me to dance concerts... to show me how music and movement goes together. She taught me how to play with a picture. She showed me dialogue within the music piece. She taught me analogies within the score. She taught me how to tell a story through my music.

And that are the fundamentals... of video editing too. Forms. Transitions. Crescendo. Build up. Release of tension. Flow. Balance.

I feel grateful. Really thankful.

Rou3 zhong1 dai4 gang1

Like the chinese expression : Rou3 zhong1 dai4 gang1, where within the gentleness that is exuded, inner strength is displayed.

this quote is so liberating...

" You don't have to be aggressive to be a strong woman." - Samantha Morton

New Tracks

Find myself embarking on new tracks all over again...

this time surer... though more uncertain...

holding the Hand of the one who Loves me.

New tracks - New songs- New paths - New discoveries - New hope - New land - New conquers.

New Chapter - Fly Free

Pearl - Oyster's Tears

well... as with all things precious... it doesn't come easy. Tearing now. Not literally. But the sand is grinding the Oyster flesh.

Pain. Pain. Pain.

But the pearl is forming.

Beauty is coming.

One day... I wouldn't feel so bare.

A string of pearls.

Reflection of Glory.

red and blue

Heh. Hmm... somehow... somehow...yesterday was a red and blue day. Heh.

Started with painting my nails blue... then decided to wear my new red shoes and realised I have a red and blue diagonal striped top. And... someone gave me a red-blue earring. Think I have never been so colour coordinated. Ha. Its fun. Ha. To think my wardrobe used to be blue. black. white. blue. and more blue.


Haha... then went to office and realised Spidey was red and blue. Ha. My red and blue superhero. Even my wallpaper matched my dressing.


Came back home... and watched snow white, finishing off the disney classics movie marathon. And guess what? She's decked in red and blue too. Funny.

Talk about coincidence...unconsiously pulled out an old basketball jersey to wear at home. Yes. It's red and blue too. Ha.

Hmm... just had a thought... red and blue... mixing them becomes purple - the colour of royalty. Hmm... guess I'm not there yet... one day... the blue and red... will become purple seamlessly. Right now... I'm still mixing and blending.

Ah... red and blue...purple one day... princess...

Bach will flip in his grave

Classic - Pachabel Canon in D... reinterpreted via the electric guit. Korean guitarist.

http://www.youtube.com/w/Canon(rock-version)?v=VC_GrNefGKM&search=canon%20rock

Nemo. Found.

watched finding nemo again... heh... love this pixar stuff...

hmm... love watching animation... i think its more fun to watch as an adult. We had accumulated enough visual imagery and stereotypes to enjoy the parodies. Love the little puns and parallels here and there. Ha.

Like it how the animators give the animals a persona... to mimic humans... in such a real way... how Nemo's dad was paranoid due to his baggage and experience... which Nemo has no clue about. The fight for freedom. For his dad to believe in him. To let go of him. So he can be free. To soar. To grow. Despite the handicap. Just like Crush and Squirt. A release. Into the sea. Into uncertainty.

I long for the day... when its my turn... to go out and adventure... with the release from my folks... fully... sigh...

Change.

the good side of pain is that brought me to a point of desperation for change. glad to have that impetus to change. To want to defy the odds. To want to challenge status quo. To finally make the changes that I had been wanting to make. Glad.

Was inspired by a series of Phil Cooke's newsletter...

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It's never too late to be who you might have been.
--George Eliot, Writer


Welcome to the change revolution. It's a transformation that's sweeping
the world, and only those who understand the incredible power of change
will be ready. Companies don't change--people do. You'll never change
your organization until you learn to change yourself. When that
happens, anything is possible.

------------------------------------------------------

Culture Change
In Praise of Disagreement

"The Key to unlocking openness at work is to teach people to give up
having to be in agreement. We think agreement is so important. Who
cares? You have to bring paradoxes, conflicts, and dilemmas out in the
open, so collectively we can be more intelligent than we can be
individually."
--Peter Senge

Let's hear it for creative conflict. Today, in this strange era where
tolerance is held up as the highest good, people think that we, as
Rodney King said, "just have to get along." But the fact is, some
choices are better than others, some ideas are stronger than others,
and some outcomes are more successful than others.

The secret to breakthrough thinking and powerful change is that unique
mix of ideas that generate creative sparks. Remember that conflict
isn't strife. There's no question that strife can be the most
devastating virus to exist in an organization. Strife creates
bitterness, resentment, and fosters disaster.

But positive disagreement is the catalyst that explodes into original
thinking. The Bible says, "Iron sharpens iron," and that doesn't happen
unless the two pieces of iron run into each other. The lesson? Don't be
afraid when conflicting ideas are presented in meetings. Don't feel
insecure when employees or team members disagree with you or each
other. As long as everyone is loyal to the company and the mission
before you, a little conflict might be just what you need to smash
through the ceiling of mediocrity and find the answers.

------------------------------------------------------

Personal Change
A Vision for Change

How do we actually change our lives? What are the steps we need to take
to make a difference, and start over again? How do we get from where we
are to where we want to be? I can tell you this: without learning the
right steps, it's the hardest thing you'll ever do. Thirty years of
making change happen in organizations around the world has taught me
that companies and organizations don't change, people do. If we can
change people, we can change nations.

The fact is, change is hard. It's difficult to do well, and it's even
harder to develop a lifestyle of change. That's why I'm focused on
helping people, organizations, and corporations understand the power of
change.

Change is here, and change is happening whether we like it or not. It's
not about knowing the future, it's being ready for the future. It's not
about having the right answers, it's about asking the right questions.
And it's not about things that seem urgent, it's about the things that
matter. Science tells us that as living beings, we either change or
die. I can tell you that change happens, and it's time to discover how
change can transform your life.

------------------------------------------------------

Culture Change
The Difference Between Change and Progress

Understanding change is critical in this culture, but it's just as
important to understand when change matters. Malcolm Gladwell (author
of The Tipping Point and Blink) uses an interesting example. In the
last 10 years golf clubs have improved dramatically. There's been a
tidal wave of golf teaching videos, while shoes, gloves, and other
accessories have made dramatic improvements.

However, golf scores have remained absolutely stable. Don't get caught
playing the game where we pretend we're talking about progress, but
we're really just talking about change. Real, positive change is about
progress. It's about understanding the principles to help you make the
changes that result in positive growth, advancement, and success.

Change and progress. Make sure they both happen together!

------------------------------------------------------

"Things do not change; we change."
--Henry David Thoreau

Happy New Year 2006!

2006 will be the Year of Change. The media will change from "mass"
media to "personal" media, and life this year will be marked by an
intense search for the "niche." We can't be everything to everyone.
Fame isn't about being all things to all people. It's about being
everything to some people.

What do your gifts, talents, and passions say about the audience you
should be reaching? That idea applies to everyone with a message--from
television producers, to business people, to preachers, and even to
lovers. Stop trying to please everyone, and searching for the audience
that will be the most responsive to your message.

fuel from a friend... for the journey ahead...

And Shall I Fear?

And shall I fear
That there is anything that men hold dear
Thou would'st deprive me of,
And nothing give in place?

That is not so --
For I can see Thy face
And hear Thee now:

"My child, I died for thee.
And if the gift of love and life
You took from Me,
Shall I one precious thing withhold --
One beautiful and bright,
One pure and precious thing withhold?
My child, it cannot be."

-- Elizabeth Stam

Stand Still & See

I'm standing, Lord:
There is a mist that blinds my sight.
Steep, jagged rocks, front, left and right,
Lower, dim, gigantic, in the night.
Where is the way?

I'm standing, Lord:
The black rock hems me in behind,
Above my head a moaning wind
Chills and oppresses heart and mind.
I am afraid!

I'm standing, Lord:
The rock is hard beneath my feet;
I nearly slipped, Lord, on the sleet.
So weary, Lord! and where a seat?
Still must I stand?

He answered me, and on His face
A look ineffable of grace,
Of perfect, understanding love,
Which all my murmuring did remove.

I'm standing, Lord:
Since Thou hast spoken, Lord, I see
Thou hast beset - these rocks are Thee!
And since Thy love encloses me,
I stand and sing.

-- Elizabeth Stam

spring cleaning... still on

hmm...am STILL springcleaning... hahaah... this time its my laptop.

its quite amazing how much junk one can keep. heh. or stash away.

well... learning... to deal with the influx of things. guess i used to be a hoarder. now i just try to keep lean. used to be a total planner - occupation hazard. now i'm less a planning freak... so... i need less plans. just those i need.

and i guess when one is new in something, you just hold on to things that gives you a direction. no wonder i kept so much stuff. well the good thing is that once you're on a surer journey, things become clearer... and you don't need some of those things anymore. and with more experience, it is easier to group things.

feel good. as i trashed those things. regrouping. streamlining. realignment. very satisfied. feel uncluttered. think i can handle new things better. with my resources regrouped, i feel its more bite sized and manageable. and i can welcome new things more selectively. less it clutters my life.

still spring cleaning.... ... ...

a fishy affair

ha... been cooking and cooking and cooking.... and just interestingly... been cooking lotsa fish. ha.

hmm... tonight was quite an experiment... salmon with cream basil sauce + yoghurt with mint and cucumbers + potatoes. Hmm... realised i need to be sure of what i want. wanted just pan fried potatoes with herbs. but i know brother likes fried potatoes. so kinda did an in-between without the herbs and was kinda wishy washy potatoes. and got burnt by the hot oil. blah. battle scars. ha not terribly nice or terribly yuckie.

the yoghurt thingy was nice... liked the mint...

my first time handling salmon... had quite an adventure trying to get the skin out...OOH... I forgot!!! I could have deep fried the skin instead of discarding it away!!! AIYAH... my bro said the sauce was not enough. Shouldn't have let it boil so long. Heh.

ANYWAY... it was fun. Cooking experiments. Some turn out great. Some you learn. Just keep trying eh? Like how I finally am pleased with the sauteed mushrooms i cooked last week. Key is... lots of red wine... !!!

my highup and lowdown of cny

cny is an awesome time. totally good for family and just keeping the ties.yeah. that's great. totally. food's great. movies are good too. just fun seeing everybody grow up. and playing uno etc. glad to have family.

wished there was a portion that can be a little more pleasant - that it need not be so expectation filled. the singapore societal norm. where you have to tell what you do (*read in between the lines*- how much money you make) and when you are getting married and/or have a baby (*this formula is for "the singapore happy life"*). no wonder a lot of people escape cny. if only people would stop asking... and just accept. heh.

hah. didn't get those questions this year... but they are kind of hidden heh... but oh well... just glad nobody bugged me... well... haha....

Back to basics

watched North Country. Same theme as what I was reading about - what we have now... is what many people fought for. Yup. Not to take for granted. And indeed, we are also fighting for the generations to come.

fu2

fu2...blessings galore

had a good day at work. glad i had enough rest. glad i went to see a movie yest. glad to receive comfort and gather courage from the Hand. Stark contrast from yest. Glad for friends too. Tks meen & my cellies.

tkful... for friends... love my rj friends... they're just wacky and their sense of humour is awesome! ha! just crazy.... and we just laugh at the same frequency. totally love them! didn't really enjoy jc then but sure do enjoy the friendships now!!!!!

funny...how tonight... one of us is really rich... the other really pretty... and the other really smart... ha... interesting bunch...

mmm... sure love a good treat once in a while...yummy spizza...ooh..Helena!!! and super yummy crystal jade desert and dumplings...mmm... and a baileys shake to top it off! AWESOME!!!!

And playing bridge while watching Jamie Oliver cook... ooh... glad to have so much fun.

think i was quite deprived when i was a teenager... always had to be the eldest, the adult as soon as i turned twelve. Fun wasn't 'approved' I needed to be serious. Strong. Smart. In control. Independent. To take care of others. Sigh. Totally stifling.

Glad now I can just let go and have loads of FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sometimes i feel its too late... coz my body seems slower... BUT........this life is NOT MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I surrender... i take what comes... i enjoy this moment... it is NOT MY RIGHT to demand what "should have" been my teenagehood- fun, innocent, light. But simply... to enjoy what is given to me now... to the fullest. Better now than never. Better enjoyed than be miserable. Better have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

renewal

The old has gone. The new has come.

copy and classics

skimmed through the autobiography of the guy who invented xerox.

rather inspiring. rags to riches. multiple setbacks and disappointments. but finally did it.

it was just interesting to go back to the 'root', the source.

browsing through another book - classics of design. realised how we take for granted so many of the inventions and modern day comforts. Guess we seldom stop to ponder where they came from.

was just refreshing to look at the design icons and to read about their origins - tupperware parties, how did barbie came about, the coke bottle, how the name kit kat was born and the ultra-cool retro Sony Triniton TV set, Stacking chair and the Leica camera.

for something to be termed an icon, it normally takes a going against the norms which may... or may not be something well received. the sony walkman nearly never made it. so did xerox.

well... that gives hope... when hope is low...

no wonder God always told the Israelites to remember... the goodness of Him in the past... to gather strength for the future.