Remedy for Exam Stress

With all the hype surrounding Dan Brown's the Da Vinci Code something really funny was spawned. Funny with substance actually.

Anyways, click on the link below. Remember to try both the Singlish and Hokkien versions. and follow the link to "one truth. believe it"

http://www.syfc.org.sg/events/dvc/cinema.html

Have a laugh=)

Experimenting with sound...

Sound Experiment played its maiden gig last weekend at an IU day. Yea, an IU day. What it lacked in glamour and prestige it did make up in allowing us valueble playing experience. It was great, the performance as a whole from my point of view. Despite our mistakes, we managed to play right thru and to me thats great! haha! We were tight and thts what matters.

To those not in the know, Sound Experiment is basically made up of anybody and everybody that plays with us on the day. You can call it Impromptu band members but that just makes it more fun. Right up to the day before we still hadn't even confirmed our band lineup let alone song lineup. That says allot about Sound Experiment.

Picture ripped from averdim.blogdrive.com

Sound Experiment: (R-L) Tim Danker on rhythm, Sean Phuah on lead and vocals, Marc on bass, and Me=) on drums. Not forgetting Chee Khin on vocals as well!

Sound Experiment will be true to its name, a continual experiment through sound and music. A base to launch various new stuff we might wanna tryout for the future.

Watch out for more of Sound Experiment in the future=)

If you were wondering, Cross Advertisement is still in existence and will be playing a gig soon. we'll keep you ppl updated.

Have A Nice Day

Counted Blessings

I'm happy with the way things have turned out to be in the past 19 years.

I'm happy for the life that i have

I'm happy with the person that i am

I am deliriously happy for the people who have helped colour my life

I'm happy that i've made mistakes in my life because without them i'll not be who i am.

I am excited about the future

I'm happy that there's always someone there for me in good times and in bad

I'm happy that there is still so much about me to learn

I'm happy there is still room for improvement in my life

I'm happy i live in a country not saddled in turmoil and pain

I'm happy to be a child of God.

I'm blessed.

I've counted my blessings, i'm happy cause i know that there is so many more blessings which i can't list down off hand.

Have A Nice Day and spare a prayer for the earthquake victims of Indonesia. They need it.

I'm Alive

Yes, contrary to popular belief, i am still very much alive and kicking=)

Problem is, exams are really starting to eat me alive and thus this is evident through my lack of post which i presume is why my avid fans have taken to abusing me on my chat box.

My sincerest apologies.

But seriously, blame the finals and assignment. I should be getting back to the upkeep of this place sometime soon.

BTW, Yuen steamboat gave me a really bad stomach upset. heck, i made the toilet my second home and finished toilet roles like they were going out of style.

Have A Nice Day.
...And Finals to come

Grrr...

Good day.

I am patriotic.
Which is not really unheard of, It was blatantly pointed out in the movie Gubra as well. Honestly, it couldn't have been described in anyway clearer. "It's like loving someone but that someone doesn't love you back".

But that really is the issue isn't it?

I don't think its a really good topic to dwell on, its somewhat controversial.

I'll leave that as it is.

On a brighter note, i got ticket for apparently parking my car in place which is not a designated car park. Oh Joy. How can a housing estate have a designated carpark? i mean, the road sides are traditionally your parking lots wouldn't it be?

You'd probably argue saying, it isn't my house and so i don't deserve to be complaining. Ahhh.. But you see, being patriotic you wouldn't really see me doing somethin completely over the law and thus i manage to get a resident sticker thru marc to park around the said resident's house.

And that was precisely what i did. By parking opposite the house, and since the said resident's house is a corner lot, it's surrounding vicinity would include its side wouldn't it? Apparently not by the MPSJ enforcers who deem it another road altogether which subsequently entitles you to a ticket.

The problem is, if MPSJ did show as much diligence in giving me a ticket and completely ignoring my sticker on such grounds that i feel they'd be equally apt at ensuring the surrounding area around the house is free from illegally parked cars as well. Cause its for these free loaders that i can't get a spot in front of the house isn't it?

I'm just upset.

forgive me. I'll get round to some better material soon. For now, i should really start gearing up for the exams.

I can't wait to go to Perth to see Shu-Wen=)

Have A Nice Day.

Today, it's about you...

It feels so much like yesterday when i was merely a young child. Depending so much on you for my every needs. How i'd scream and cry just to get my way. Yet you slowly nurtured, guided, and above all attended to my selfish needs.

And then i grew slightly older. The pampering toned down a little, it was the beginning of my growing up stage. But i was still so much the baby being the youngest child. I used to sit in school in primary one and think what would i ever do should you no longer be here? I used to say I had a headache just to come home to see you. I was just really attached to you.

I was already quite heavy at that time and yet, you still carried me despite the pains in your back when i wasn't well or plain sleepy. But you always had the ideal measure of being stern when needed to. I still remember the time you held a cane in one hand and a book in the other. It was a traumatizing day, but if it wasn't for tht day my time table i would still not know.

Through ups and downs you always kept the family together in firm prayer. I remember how you'd pray for daddy to one come to know the Lord. Although things didn't quite go according to plan, you held steadfast to God's word and watched as he raised us up again, now as a family in the Lord.

There subsequently came a time when i began to see the world in a different light. My friends mattered more, my home was just a placed i was confined to. I complained, i threw tantrums, I shouted, I rebeled, I did everything i knew that would make you sad, make you cry, just to get my way. You were sad and you did cry, but you never let go.

Looking back, it was because of that that I am who I am today. Because you protected, you guided, and you cared. But more importantly, because you loved.

I'm sorry for the times i broke your heart, for the times i made you cry, or the times you thought you failed. Because you, didn't fail. You raised us both, Che and I better then we can ever hope to be. For without you, we would never have seen the light of day.

Although i doubt you will ever see the words i write of you. But sincerely these are the words from my heart.

I Love You Ma, We Love You..

Happy Mothers Day

Thank You Ma

To all the moms of my friends and loved ones, Happy Mothers Day to you to. It is because of you that i am blessed with these people.

May God bless you greatly.

Have A Nice Day.

May 12, 2006

Today is the 12th of May, 2006.

Exactly a year and a half ago Shu-Wen and I embarked on a journey together. A journey we're both still holding firmly on to.

Looking back on how far we've come, I can't help but realise how much we've gone through since we started or even before we started out. I realised we've probably argued about almost everything there is to argue about, patch things up time and a again with each time making us that much stronger together.

It's really been surreal how things have turned out for us but i suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise if your relationship is based on the one thing that truly matters. God. I'd admit, there we're times when we left him out of the equation but how we'd eventually come running back to the source of it all for strength and guidance time and time again. As much as love would be the binding principle, I can sincerely say that without God our relationship wouldn't be where it is today.

Despite feeling really blessed to be in a relationship with Shu-Wen now, should this quesiton of me ever being with her come out 5 years ago I would have firmly said No without a batting an eyelid. It was that inconceivable for me to be in a relationship with her at that time. To be really honest, i didn't like her anymore then she did, she hated my attitude and I hated the way she told me off about it.

How things change...

I guess she probably saw a change in my attitude and decided to talk to me again after 3 years? Cause it was towards the end of form 4 that we actually talked again, prior to her move to Kota Kemuning. Honestly, although i didn't mind talking to her i still hadn't expected to be friends with her.

But over time, with her leaving relatively close by, our friendship at that time grew rather close. From the early morning breakfast's we used to have to the occasional priviledge of sending her home it all sought to draw us closer together.

It was really a whole year of friendship before we actually got together. I suppose you can say the theory of dating your best female friend (duh... it would be rather wrong to be dating Marc wouldn't it?) has some basis to it. Cause we really just started out as friends.

Mathematically, a year and 6 months ago would have meant starting a relationship smack in the middle of our SPM exams. And that was precisely what we did. I suppose when you're in the moment (A 3 hour phone call in the dead of the night does make you all daring and sorts i guess) you tend to block out all form of rationalization cause screwing up on your SPM is not something anybody would like.

Early Days in our relationship

And the rest is history.

The past few months have been rather long since we're apart but to really sit down and think, the past year and a half did just breeze by.

Have A Nice Day.

The Mini 'Reunion'...

The guy from the tip of M'sia closest to Singapore finally made his long awaited return to Subang. I guess it was expected to be a small get together till he makes an official trip down in June when CY returns from his beloved Melbourne. But it was a great night out in my oppinion nonetheless although if you'd bring in substance into the meeting it'll equate a big fat zero. But really, its all about meeting people again... so it's all good.

Kwee kicked of the Meet John Marathon when he came and picked me up in his CRV. I'm so in love with tht car right now. I want a CRV! haha... i have big dreams=) We subsequently visited Sunway College. Seriously, it's so cool being in there. It makes Metro look somewhat inferior but i'll take what i have at Metro nonetheless. Met a few people. bumped into a few more including my ex-neighbour. And she's changed a great a deal, and so the theory goes tht everybody changes after high school.

Thats unrelated..

Anyways, later at night after waiting for John to finish his rather grand dinner, we adjourned to Murni or in John's words... 'Munnies'. Forgive the singapore bred kid for he knows not. T'was great to see people like Jessie after a really really.. and i shall emphasize it further, REALLY long time. But it was good, she was prolly bored of my rubbish till she decided to play sudoku.

But again we subsequently adjourned to Starbucks Centrepoint to pay a visit to another former K3-ian, Eu Ric! A visit of course which landed me with this Banana drink thanks to surprise surprise.. Jessie and Eu Ric. And tht subsequently set me back another 12 ringgit. I'm broke even before the middle of the month. *sigh* I guess i shouldn't complain, it was being in the company of some of the best people i've ever met which really matters.

There's really nothing to write about, so here are a few shots from my semi-K3 reunion.

Thats John. Yea, he is camera shy..

Somehow only Josh can take such pictures. Mine always ends up looking dull.

I was posing on...the Table!

The decent picture.

Josh and Kwee

The part where Jessie decides she's had enough of my gibberish and starts playing sudoku. I still feel its mental torment. Oh and thts Kim...(right?)

Eu Ric the Barrista. Cool job title eh, Must be kinda stressfull working at Starbucks.

Ahhh... Jessie, with the Banana thingy she convinced me to get. hmmm.

Anyways, it was a nice night.

Have A Nice Day.

Footprints In The Sand

This is one of the most profound yet arguably one of the most inspirational poem ever written. In my oppinion rather. But thinking of it, it has never failed to remind me that we're not alone even when we feel so far or when obstacles seem to large.

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path ofhis life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the verylowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

"The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering,when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

-Mary Stevenson

I hope this poem has touched your life or even been an encouragement to you that no matter how far away He seems, He's still there no matter what. He is faithful to the end.

Have A Nice Day.

Revisiting The Pews

I guess it was long time coming. At some point in my life i know for a fact i had to return to it. I mean how long will you continue to stray from it? You know for a fact no matter what you've done, where you've been you'd one day return to it. It's always there, will always be at least for now if you know where to look. Just like the last time, it didn't spare me. Again, it dished out it's usual treatment on me. Oh how merciless it was.

..Pews

Seriously those things were made to torture your ass. You know what? i'm not alone in this. Shu-Wen too doesn't like them! hah! I remember how we once went to this singing thing in some baptist church in PJ. Incidentally, the church had just been renovated and the renovation was done by my uncle. Needless to see the punishment the pews dished out on our poor sore asses was subsequently carried to my uncle through my aunt. My family, aunt and Shu-Wen went through one of the longest 2 hours ever.

Anyways,

The main reason i was sitting on pews was because I was Klang Gospel Hall for a rally. Wheeee. Klang!! The place with no traffic lights and er.... everything civilised.

I'm joking. Allot of familiar faces were there, A really good sharing by the speaker i must add, he evoked both laughter as well as serious thoughts. Good for the unbeliever i suppose. Being there in that church really felt like just this big family thing. The way the church members walk around talking just like a big family. Thats really nice. It helps when you have someone like Sean who seems to know everybody as well.

Yea, Thats Sean. The dark one. and thats me...the one with the huge gaping mouth at the famous Klang mamak apparent. Oh yea, i got to drive his manual car. And now, i'm happy. haha. I wish i had a manual car to drive=( .

On the drive back i was sort of thinking about what i saw and sorts at Sean's church and it really struck me that for some reason, i have never had a great churchy social life. As in, i've never really bonded really well the way i do with ppl outside the church. Its somethin that puzzles me. I walk into church, see the familier faces, small talk in a sense and see them next week. The drill makes a merry go round the next week.

I don't blame the church. I think its just me.

For some reason i've always felt intimidated in a sense when making friends with church mates as if i'm afraid what i say isn't going to be found amusing. But then again, i don't really make friends easy come to think of it. There are the exceptions but i don't think as a whole i do.

I realise in a sense i am pretty reserved. And it does take time for me to warm to you before i can really gel. And prolly thts why i don't really make many friends in a church context, seeing you once a week doesn't quite cut it for me i guess.

But what am i saying. My words and points just dont seem to connect don't it? I'm just rambling. It's Late.

Oh btw Shu-Wen... I'm dieting. Here's proof..

=)

Good Night.

[ALL THE R.AGE]

Quick put on your shades! You're now reading the blog of a Star!
Don't you find it rather blinding...?


...Right.


Never knew i could be so lame eh? All i have to say is it comes with fame. You can't always have good sensible musician and rockstar put in the same sentence. It's like saying Coke is Pepsi. You know what i mean? Therefore, the opportunity cost of being a rockstar is being lame. Since when Rock Star's were smart?

Like i was saying, being all Rock Star and stuff is really hard. You've got kids looking up to you thinking you're the biggest thing since candy and teenagers just chanting your name. Everybody wants a piece of the Rock Star. It's just tough being there for everybody all the time. Y'know what i mean?

I mean there's only that many groupies a Rock Band can have follow. There's only that much fame a Rock Star can take and well there's really just that many girls a Rock Star can have being thrown at... Or how many flashers. Point is... There's just one Rock Band with legions of Fans now wanting a piece of. It's really difficult.

I'm just joking. Cross Advertisement and its band members are still the very guys you all knew and love before we were famous=)

Haha.

Seriously, we're no different from when we started out. To put it in perspective, we've just played one gig. So to think this will go to our heads seems really out of place. We just really Thank God, Our Lord Jesus Christ for giving us everything that we are and have today big and small.

If you're in the know, Cross Advertisement made it on All The R.AGE, The Star Newspaper today. Page 2, Tuesday 02/05/06.

No big shing ding but the feeling of having your face no matter how small (cause thats what it's like in my case... the shortcomings of being the drummer) gives you a really great feeling. Makes you really light, knowing you're... sort of 'famous'. The band after us were given a longer review then us, but our picture was there. Forever immortalised and that counts!

Actually i believe its nothing more then God's Favour!

Thats right, everything is because of GOD.

I'm overly excited.

EDIT:

The Pictures are now up.

*Gasp* Staring at the pictures just makes me so.... so.... filled with emotions. The emotions felt when you know you're allot more 'famous' then the others.

I'm joking=)