Quintessentially Singaporean

Mmm...these are some of the moments I feel so proud to be a Singaporean. Went to catch Dim Sum Dollies's History of Singapore. MY GOSH! It was soooooooooooooo gooooooooooooooood. *faints* I was laughing almost non stop. It was so colloquial, so tied to memories of growing up and quintessentially Singaporean. It was great fun just to laugh at ourselves. Some parts are actually quite poignant too. Selena is a genius - how she manages to script in things of the present and link it to the past. So much of our past never really went away actually... it is just resurfacing as different forms now. An 'ang moh' will not understand or enjoy this play as much (unless he/she grew up here and understands dialects)... the "market" for such plays may be small but it makes me feel special actually... that no one else in the whole wide world can appreciate all this... except us... "We are Singapore, we are Singaporeans..." I wanted to give a standing ovation, but I'm too Singaporean for once... to stand up.

*A BIG SATISFIED PROUD SMILE* *GROUP HUG(SINGAPOREANS ONLY), ANYBODY?*

Quotes of the Day

Tired. Just finished some freelance work.

Learning to relax... and to take things one step at a time (dun think too far ahead or short term). Rather emo day... lost some things, had some shattered dreams and some broken parts of me needs some mending.

Yes, still preparing for interviews, has been fun, but quite tiring. Feel more tired than work! Yes, trust, not worry about future. And trying to enjoy and not pack in too many things this week. Gosh, I'm turning 3 decades next week!

Some interesting quotes of the day (to spur myself on):

"God gave you unique DNA, so your job is to discover how your unique gifts and talents can differentiate your ministry from everyone else's"

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” (Howard Thurman).

Perspective.

today has been quite a whirlwind. Just felt like so many things happened all in one day. good lah... things are unraveling

dropped by the office and sent a good bye mail - felt happy to have some nice responses. feel very happy and free... something I have not felt for a long time... had lunch with an elder person and was just great to hear his perspective on my journey... and sure helped clarify many knots in my head. So so glad I met up to listen to his wise words... yay!

had to deal with not being able to get a policy due to a health condition but learning that there's hope. to look forward and not the past =)...haha.. took my mind away by doing shopping research... hahah... fun fun fun... went for a walk too... good... good... good...

Hee... I must love and embrace myself... *self hug*

I'm a 30 something soon

LOL.

Had a bunch of JC pals over for lunch and it was just hilarious. Besides catching up who's given birth, work stuff (the usuals)... there was also some reference to the past and its totally hilarious. I love how we have "aged" yet remain as crazy as ever. The guffaws, the chuckling just rings... even after these ten over years. Gosh. We knew each other more than a decade. *gasp* Soon... each of us will be 30 something... (Quick Jamie Cullum, write another song for this age group!) Just totally funny how I bumped into YQ's ex-fiance... and Jackie bumped into my ex-boyfriend. And also some bitching about ex-school mates. Haha. Felt like it was a folder from "Sex in the City" or something. Ha. Played our favourite past time game - Bridge. Really really fun and its just crazy just guffawing over the slight wins. I think our intelligence is pretty level, it was usually just losing over a set or too.

Mmm... watched STOMP... (yes, another DVD)... lovely... I love percussion. I love rhythm. I love bassie-ness. I wanna go Cuba. Haha... and yes... it was filmed in NY! Gosh. Is every other thing filmed there? Out of the 5 DVDs & 1 film I watched, 3 were filmed there. Glad I went to that Arts Mecca.. just happy I could "identify" with the places there. *feel happy*

Hmm... watched another chick flick (chick flick galore!)- Bridget Jone's Diary. Ha ha. Funny. Was good. "Sex in the City" is just a glamed up, souped up version of that. Ha. Kinda can identify with these shows. Hahahaahah. Giggled when Bridget had to meet happy & made marriage couples who seem to think that people who are single have something wrong with them *sickening*. Lol. Loved that scene. Grin... well.. this year's CNY is not that bad... just had TWO aunties who whispered... "Do you have a boyfriend"... the other who saw a photo of Kev and me... "Is he your boyfriend?". DUH. hahah.

Yeah... on some days I would LUUURRRVVVEEE to be attached and "happily" married with kids and all... but some days... I think of crappy marriages and the responsibility of ACTUALLY rearing kids and working at a relationship... the cons kinda weigh out the pros. I suppose... just live life as vivaciously as possible and even with a vengeance. Life can throw darts at me.. but I'm not gonna fall under it but face it and fight back. And as the river flows to the sea... as my mama says... let nature take its course. LOL. Let's see who I'll eventually end up with (or not!)

Happy CNY to me. I love myself *muaaaaaccccck*

Tribute to Glenn Gould

Virtuosic Genius

I'm amazed at how someone can find so much pleasure in structure. Glenn Gould is amazing. He plays the piano... no... he doesn't play it... he lives the music. He conducts it, he interacts with it and finds so much pleasure in producing such a clear sound in technical virtuosity. My gosh! In good tempo too. Wow.

So focused, so deep, so dedicated. Part of the fun is watching them enjoy playing - like watching Lang Lang, Yo Yo Ma...

It's great he has a choice. He hates playing concerts... and enjoys the recording studio. Eventually that's what he did. Just record. And conduct and compose later on. What a great progression for his career. What do I want to do? Can I even have the latitude to choose?

He doesn't strike the piano, but pulls it from the bottom... really reminds me of what my piano teacher taught me. To draw the sound out. To lift the sound. Mmm... and all the finger exercises... to isolate the fingers from the arm at times... or to use the wrist at times... now its making sense. BLAH... I wished I was less lazy last time. Ha. The follies of being young. To throw away opportunities and squander time.

Hmm... a new desire is building... to play more... I really want to get into this Jazz piano thing more... hmm... ... maybe its time to throw myself into something... Otaku as Seth Godin puts it... sometimes I wish to go overseas... just want to run away from responsibility at times. I feel tired. really tired.

JSB is suddenly cool

Happy CNY.

Phew... my whole clan just left. Hmm... really been battling... the feelings that I've been giving too much... to my family, to support my mom, to really serve. Really trying hard to give to myself too... like making sure I read, watch DVDs, go run... just to re-fuel. Tough. Wish my brother can be a little more helpful. Feel tired. Really learning to serve, give, bless and sacrifice. Hope I find my Hoops soon... dunno where it went after everyone left. Hope it did not get hijacked by somebody. Hahah...

Been watching DVDs rented from the awesome Singapore National Library. I love our Library - its well stocked and has great stuff! I love the DVD section... since my research into film styles... I've been renting cool avant garde black and white movies to watch. I love that era. Somehow it has quite a charm. Jean Luc Godard's "A Woman, a woman" was fantastic!

Hmm... this recent batch... had "Bus Stop" - which was really slow and crappy. Just wanted to watch Marilyn Monroe in action. But it really was quite a bore. The story line was also quite bland. Hmm... I loved "I've heard the Mermaids Singing"... need to process some themes... lovely lovely lovely movie... I want to get a copy!

Just watched famed pianist "Glenn Gould"... lovely... his fingers are like waters flowing in a river. I think I rediscovered Bach. Used to HATE Bach and Hadyn when I was a kid... hated the structure, hated the seemingly restrictive emotions. I loved Debussy and everything in the Romantic era... or more commonly called... "The 3rd piece" (those who take ABRSM exam pieces will know this...). Watching Glenn Gould play Bach's concerto... it really opened my eyes to appreciate Bach all over again. Yes, there can be a wide range of emotions and latitude within structure too. Was great watching the documentary, there's a certain rawness to it. Gould is intense and focused. Really inspired to practice more. I really would like to meet my old piano teacher who really taught me so much...to appreciate music and not just pass exams. I remember her talking about Gould...

Hee... tom will watch more DVDs! =)

I wish for world peace.

haha

just watched the Kungfu Panda trailer... helped diffused some bottled up unhappiness. *kick* *slap* *slash bricks* hahahahahahah

went for a run... i think i should run more... helps me fight the negativity and painful thoughts. makes me feel happy. makes me feel I'm fighting the odds. makes me feel i'm conquering. even though i struggle to breathe (wish my severe allergic rhinitis would go away)...

can't wait for my night to turn to day. I wish for world peace.